English Learning for Curious Minds #516 | Journey to the Deep: A Short History of Underwater Exploration
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Nov 21, 2024 Dive into the brave history of underwater exploration, from ancient diving bells to the astounding Mariana Trench. Discover Aristotle's early theories and Magellan's deep-sea measurements, leading to the invention of the submarine. Learn about David Bushnell's military innovations and the HMS Challenger's groundbreaking oceanographic expedition that unveiled deep-sea creatures. Finally, reflect on humanity's unyielding quest to uncover the secrets of our oceans, revealing how much mystery still lies beneath the waves.
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Ancient Ocean Mysteries
- Humans have always been curious about the depths of oceans despite not knowing their true extent.
- Early beliefs doubted if oceans had bottoms or were infinite abysses.
Magellan’s Depth Measurement Attempt
- Ferdinand Magellan tried measuring the ocean depth using a cannonball and rope in 1521.
- After 732 meters, the rope ran out, and the ocean was deemed immeasurably deep.
Limits of Human Diving
- Human breath-hold diving reaches only 20-30 meters due to pressure and breath limits.
- This depth is a tiny fraction compared to ocean depths, limiting exploration by early humans.