The origins of scubadiving began in the 1930s when Jacques Cousteau - a French engineer - produced the first underwater video. Simone and Cousteau loaded a black and blue still camera film into a camera to make the first underwater movie. Emile Gagnan of L'Air Liquide et Cie is responsible for designing the Aqualung. It's the first commercially viable scuba device. In 1943, the prototype units were tested by the Cousteau family.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a Marseilles native. He spent his youth snorkeling in and around the warm Mediterranean waters. After graduating from high school, he decided to enter the navy. He was a naval gunnery officer and a master diver during his time in the navy. He fell in love with the underwater world after which he began to swim down to investigate the seabed. He also developed an underwater photography camera.
Emile Gagnan
Emile Gagnan is behind many of today's innovations in SCUBA diving. Aqualung was created by Emile Gagnan in the 1950s. This breathing apparatus allows the diver to inhale underwater air. With this invention, scuba diving became safer and more accessible.
Henry Fleuss
Henry Fleuss is an innovator in scubadiving history. He invented the self-contained breathing system and many other innovations. His designs were patented by Siebe, Gorman & Co. in 1878. He worked for many companies, including Siebe, Gorman & Co. His invention was revolutionary in that it allowed the diver the freedom to work without the assistance of a pump and a large crew.
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini is a common name for scuba divers. The master escape artist was known for performing a number of amazing escapes, including one from a container underwater. He also demonstrated how you can escape from a straitjacket or lock. Motion pictures have captured his escape skills.
Mark V diving helmet
Mark V diving gear has a rich history. It was originally designed for the US Navy in 1916, and it was still used until 1984. It is considered the first diving helmet. Other helmets are available from the 1820s and before.
William Beebe
William Beebe's story of scuba diving is more than a tale about adventures under the water. He was a scientist, who did many dives into the water for scientific research. He set up a laboratory for marine research on Nonsuch Island in Bermuda and studied the sea life. He studied the behavior of sea creatures and developed a unique diving helmet and breathing apparatus. Beebe also became the first to dive into the deep ocean with a bathysphere. The device was capable of lowering a person down to 3,028ft (923m) below the surface. This record lasted until 1949.