Ocean

Historical Discoveries related to Oceanography

By elizabeth.rager
  • The Polynesians (navigate)
    800 BCE

    The Polynesians (navigate)

    They were the first to sail and colonize the islands of the south and west Pacific Ocean
  • Phoenicians (trade)
    590 BCE

    Phoenicians (trade)

    They founded fishing settlements and trading ports. Also, circumnavigated Africa
  • Aristotle (research)
    384 BCE

    Aristotle (research)

    Cataloged marine organisms
  • Eratosthenes (navigate)
    300 BCE

    Eratosthenes (navigate)

    Calculated the Earth's circumference & invented latitude/ longitude system
  • Vasco Nunez de Balboa (navigate, trade)
    1513

    Vasco Nunez de Balboa (navigate, trade)

    Crossed the Isthmus of Panama and found the Pacific Ocean
  • Benjamin Franklin (recreation)

    Benjamin Franklin (recreation)

    Invented and published the first chart showing an ocean current(recreation)
  • Salt Walter (scientist research)

    Salt Walter (scientist research)

    William Dittmar collected several samples of ocean water to determine its salinity. He discovered major salts in the ocean
  • International Hydrographic Organization(navigate, research)

    International Hydrographic Organization(navigate, research)

    This organization ensures us of the worlds sea and if they are navigable water and safe
  • Scuba Diving (recreation)

    Scuba Diving (recreation)

    Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan invented the scuba regulator and tank combination, the "aqualung". This gave people a way to breath underwater for a long periods of time
  • The Alvin (navigate)

    The Alvin (navigate)

    This Submersible was launched by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to explore the deep ocean floors and gather samples