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The final major evolution of the steam engine design was the use of steam turbines starting in the late part of the 19th century. Sir Charles Parsons invented the modern steam turbine in 1884, revolutionizing steam power which was a big leap towards cheap and plentiful electricity. During his lifetime he saw the generating capacity of a unit scale up by 10,000 times and saw the steam turbine adopted by all major power stations. Steam turbines allowed for a revolution in marine transport and naval warfare.

What if a steam turbine equal to, or better to the Parsons turbine, was invented at least a decade prior, 1874 or earlier? Just how early would it have been possible for it to be invented? And what effects would this have on the latter stage of the Industrial Revolution?
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