In 1903, the Norwegian inventor Ægidus Elling developed the first gas turbine worldwide that produced a net power ouput. The compressor comprised 6 stages of radial design with variable geometry diffuser. In order to reduce the compression work intercooling was provided by means of water injection between the stages. The turbine had a one-stage centripetal impeller with double exit, and was made of unalloyed cast steel. The turbine produced 8 kW, with an inlet temperature of 400 ^oC.

Elling is often referred to as "Father of the gas turbine".