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4500 BCE
Ocean Exploration Beginnings
Starting at approximately 5000 B.C, humans began to explore the ocean, specifically Greece and China began to the practice of diving for food and other resources. Diving may possibly have been a part of warfare. -
4000 BCE
Sailing
Around 4000 BC, ancient Egyptians constructed the first sailing vessels. They were most likely only used for travel across the Nile River and portions of the Mediterranean however. -
414 BCE
Diving Confirmed In Warfare
The Greek historian known as Thucydides wrote of diving in warfare in a narration siege of Syracuse. The narration told of divers who submerged underwater to prevent ships from being damaged my moving obstacles like debris and the like. -
325 BCE
Diving Bells
Diving bells were invented to remove debris from harbors. The bell itself was glass so the user could see through it to spot the debris. -
1492
Christopher Columbus
Explorer Christopher Columbus sails out to find a pathway to China and India. However, he instead discovered the two continents of North and South America. -
1578
First Submarine Plans
Mathematician William Bourne creates first plans for underwater vessel. His idea was that the frame would be encased in leather and be rowed from the inside. -
First Submarine Built
Physician Cornelis Drebbel constructs the first submarine. The frame was made of wood and reinforced with iron and encased in leather. On the interior, 6 row men sat on each side. The oars were wrapped in leather to prevent any leaks. -
The First Waterproof Suit
Chevalier de Beauve invented the first waterproof suit. The suit itself was difficult to move in. Air was provided to the user through leather tubes that reached to the surface. -
Practical Diving Suits
Augustus Siebe improved the old waterproof suit design and provided more freedom of movement. It was known as the "Siebe Improved Diving Dress" and would be used for more than a century. -
Deep Sea Canyons
James Alden discovers the Monterey Canyon, which reaches 11,800 feet in depth. This was the first underwater canyon ever found. The canyon also extends over nearly 95 miles of the Pacific Ocean.
The image shows the size in comparison to The Grand Canyon. -
The Sinking of The Titanic
On April 15, 1912, the famous Titanic struck an iceberg, resulting in the death of 1500 people and the sinking of the ship itself. This would lead to sonar to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again. -
Oscillators and sound waves
An inventor by the name of Reginald Fessenden created an oscillator, which used sound waves against an iceberg and the seafloor. This would eventually lead to the development of sonar, which would also lead to submarines. -
Aqua Lung Development
Explorers Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan invented the aqua lung, which allowed divers to stay underwater for sustained periods of time. This was the original scuba diving system. -
The Ocean's Deepest Point
The British vessel known as Challenger II used sound waves on the ocean floor, which recoiled back, revealing what is now known as Marianas Trench. It is located in the Pacific Ocean.
The image shows how if Mt. Everett sat in it, there would still be several miles of water between the surface and its peak. -
Magnetic Striping and Tectonic Plates
Both the U.S. navy and Scripps Institution together used the geodetic Survey Ship Pioneer to use the original marine magnetometer. Then the magnetometer discovered magnetic striping on the West coast of the U.S. This also gave credibility to the tectonic plate theory. -
Deepest Dive
Jacques Piccard and two others reach a depth of 35,797 feet, or nearly seven miles. There, they uncovered fish and other new sea life in the depths of the ocean. -
The Titanic Wreckage
Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the remains of The Titanic, through the use of a miniature robotic submarine. The ship is split in two halves, spanning over 2 and a half miles of water. -
Giant Squid
A Japanese film crew captured a video of a live giant squid reaching 9 feet in length, which is actually short! Giant squid can grow up to 60 feet in length!
