Turbine means spinning top
in Latin.
The first machine developed
called Aeolipile is the basis for the further research and invention of Gas
turbines. Aeolipile was first developed in AD62.
Aeolipile, 75 AD
The first patent issued for a gas
turbine was issued in 1791 to John Barber, an Englishman. The principle of
operation of this gas turbine required that air and fuel from a gas producer be
compressed in different cylinders and then directed into a combustion chamber
where the fuel was burned. The products of combustion were then caused to flow
through a nozzle onto a turbine wheel. John Barber’s concept was sound, but
given the technology of that day, it was not possible for the device to create
sufficient power to both compress the air and the gas and to have power left
over to provide useful work. Nevertheless, the credit for the idea that leads
to the modern gas turbine can clearly be give to John Barber. In spite of the
fact that John Barber’s 1791 patent represented all of the important features
of a successful gas turbine it wasn’t until the early part of the 20th
century that engineers were able to produce a machine that was useful.
John Barber’s patented Gas turbine
