Pierre-Simon Girard

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Pierre-Simon Girard

French inventor who, in 1775, invented the first water turbine. This device was the first to harness the power of water using a turbine instead of a water wheel. Although not significantly more efficient at the time than water wheels of the day, the turbine proved much more versatile over time. It was adapted for electrical power generation, ship propulsion, jet engines, and other uses, all of which continue to this day.