Corliss

Corliss is a surname of English origin that has also been used as a place name in parts of the United States and in various corporate or institutional names. The term is most widely associated with the Corliss steam engine, a high-efficiency stationary steam engine developed in the mid-19th century by American inventor George Henry Corliss.

Design features include a valve mechanism with separate admission and exhaust valves, operated by a linkage and governed to adjust steam cut-off. This arrangement improves thermal efficiency and provides steadier operation across a range of loads. The Corliss engine achieved widespread use in textile mills, mines, printing plants, and early power stations, particularly in the United States, and helped promote broader adoption of high-efficiency steam technology. Many engines were built by the Corliss Engine Company and other manufacturers.

Notable bearers of the surname include the American inventor George Henry Corliss. The name also survives in various place names and historical references tied to 19th-century industrial development.