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414 BCE
414 BC Diving Used in Warfare
The Greek historian Thucydides writes about diving used in warfare in his narration of the siege of Syracuse. His stories tell of Greek divers who submerge to remove underwater blockade from the harbor in order to ensure the safety of their ships. -
325 BCE
325 BC First Use of a Diving Bell
This was the first use of the diving bell in 325 BC made by Edmund Halley, it was Alexander The Great. He made use of a course diving bell to employ combat divers during the siege of Tyre.Because the diving bell contained colored glass so that the divers could see through it, it was the perfect making. The divers used the bell to empty debris from the harbor. Alexander The Great took some trips down himself. -
1535
1535 First True Diving Bell
Guglielmo de Lorena invents the first true diving bell. The container rests on diver’s shoulders and has much of its weight supported by slings. The bell provides enough air for the diver to breathe for about a one-hour dive. -
1578
1578 First Plans for a Submarine
An English mathematician named William Bourne drew the first known plans for an underwater vessel. These plans call for a leather-covered wooden frame craft that would be rowed from the inside. There is no evidence to suggest that this craft was ever built. -
1788 Improved Diving Bell
American John Smeaton incorporates several enhancement to the diving bell. He builds the bell made from cast iron and is the first to use an efficient hand-operated pump to sustain the air supply via a hose. An air reservoir system and non-return valves to keep air from being sucked back up the hoses when the pump stops. -
1797 First Diving Suit
German mechanic Karl Heinrich Klingert designs a device that is the first to be called a "diving suit”. It consists of a jacket and trousers made of waterproof leather, a helmet with a porthole, and a metal front. It is linked to a turret with an air reservoir. The reservoir cannot replenish itself, so the suit has a limited dive time duration. -
1825 First use of Scuba
Englishman William H. James designs a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, or scuba. In James' design, the diver wears a helmet and carries a supply of compressed air in a cast-iron belt fastened around the waist. This device allows the diver to remain underwater for up to an hour. Now a days it can be longer. -
1853 Discovery of Deep Sea Life
Edward Forbes' theory of on deep sea life is called into question when Louis F. de Pourtales of the U.S. Coast Survey examines Coast Survey sounding operations that find evidence of life in depths over 1000 fathoms (6000 feet). -
1861 First U.S. Navy Submarine
The United States Navy contracts French emigrant Brutus de Villeroi to design a submarine. The craft is built by the firm of Neafie & Levy and is made of iron with small circular plates of glass on top for light. Known as the Alligator, the sub is powered by sixteen hand-powered paddles protruding from the sides. It was built for use in the Civil War, but was never used in battle. -
1943 The Aqua-Lung
Underwater explorers Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan inventing the first modern scuba system. They modify a breathing regulator to create the Aqua-Lung. This ground breaking invention allows divers to stay underwater for extended periods and more effectively explore the ocean realm. This single event revolutionizes the science of underwater exploration. -
1961 Tow System Developed
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography starts development of the Deep Tow System. This sonar system becomes the forerunner of all remotely-operated and unmanned oceanographic systems today. -
1965 First Underwater Robot
The Navy invent Halibut, a submarine that can lower miles of cables bearing lights, cameras, and other gear to spy on enemy weaponry and material lost on the bottom of the sea. -
September 19, 1979 Deepest Dive in Dive Suit
Doctor Sylvia Earle sets a fresh record for a deep dive in a dive suit. Using a new pressurized metal suit known as a JIM suit, she walks unassisted at a depth of 1,250 feet (381 meters). Dr. Earle explores the depths off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii for two and a half hours with only a communication line connecting her to a submersible, and nothing connecting her to the world above -
1990 Argo Project Begins
A project known as Argo begins to deploy 3,000 robotic probes throughout the world's oceans to monitor climate, weather, and sea surface height. It is named after the mythical ship from the story of Jason and the Argonauts. The last probes are successfully placed in 2007. -
July 2012 First Video of Giant Squid
A Japanese voyage and film crew captures the first video of a giant live giant squid in its natural environment. This elusive creature is previously only seen when dead specimens wash ashore or are caught in fishing nets. The squid entrap in the video measures only 9 feet (3 meters) in length, which is relatively small. Giant squid can grow to over 60 feet (18 meters) in length.