-
1000 BCE
Deep diving begins
Homer, a Greek poet, has mentioned sponge fishermen who dove down into the ocean by holding on to a hefty rock. They would put oil into their ears and mouth to make up for the rising pressure. Then, they were pulled up by a rope. -
200 BCE
Discovery of Earth's circumference
Eratosthenes, a Greek astronomer, was the first person to ever know the circumference of the Earth. He used shadow angles and the space between Alexandria and Syene. He eventually came up with the number 40,000 kilometers, which is only 32 kilometers away from the exact circumference. -
1002
Voyage of Leif Erikson
Leif Erikson, a Norse explorer, was the first European to arrive in North America. He called the land Vinland and established a Norse settlement. This land is now Newfoundland in Canada. -
1578
First Plan for Submarine
William Bourne, an English mathematician, drew plans for an underwater boat in 1578. This design was a wooden frame covered in leather. However, nobody knows if this boat was ever built. -
First Practical Diving Helmet
A French scientist named Sieur Freminet invented the helmet-like product. The air was pumped from the top of the water using a hose to allow the diver to breathe. This device would allow Sieur Freminet to stay 16 meters deep for at most, an hour. -
First Diving Suit
The first diving suit was invented by a mechanic from Germany named Karl Heinrich. The suit was made of water proof leather. It was a jacket and pants with a helmet, as well. Like the first helmet in 1772, the diving suit had an air reservoir connected to it. The reservoir has a limit that it can give air, so you had a certain time to dive. -
First Wireless Sounding
Sir William Thomson invented a functioning sounding machine that was wireless in 1872. The changes in this machine compared to other hemp rope sounding methods were more swift and accurate. -
Marine Survey of the Pacific
Alexander Agassiz made expeditions on Albatross (steamship) for the studying of coral reefs. This took place in the Pacific Ocean. Agassiz's crew made soundings and discovered many specimens. The surveys through the next six years resulted in tons of discovering marine life. -
Titanic Sinks
When the White Star Liner Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean, the world was hit with a wave of sadness. After this tragedy, about 1,500 people were dead. -
Discovery of Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Marie Tharp studied Atlantic Ocean sounding profiles to find a rift valley. In later studies, it was proven that this was no regular rift valley. However, it extends over 40,000 nautical miles. This is evidence for the continental drift theory, or plate tectonics. -
Titanic Found
Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the wreck of the Titanic. He was also assisted by a tiny submarine robot, Jason. The wreck was found two and a half miles off from Newfoundland, Canada. The ship will never rise because it is in two different pieces. -
First Video of Giant Squid
The only previous findings of a giant squid before this were dead ones caught in fishing nets or on shore. However, a Japanese expedition led to the videos of a live giant squid. Compared to the possible 60 feet that a giant squid can reach, the one recorded was only about 9 feet long.
