Diving Technology in History

Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by bodies of water and have sought ways to explore underwater. The development of diving technology aimed at enabling humans to breathe underwater has evolved over the centuries. Aristotle mentioned the concept of a diving bell in the fourth century BCE, and Alexander the Great employed a diving bell during the Battle of Tier. In the 16th century, successful diving bell submersions were documented, and in the 17th century, Edmund Halley added an air supply system to diving bells, revolutionizing the technology. In the 18th and 19th centuries, advancements such as diving dresses, air pumps, and self-contained underwater breathing units were made. Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan introduced the Aqualung in 1942, marking the birth of scuba diving technology, although the first scuba diver is a topic of debate. Cousteau's system became the standard and eventually led to the modern self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.