When was scuba developed? Many people will say the 1860s, but when was scuba really invented? Let's look at the earliest scuba equipment. Emile Gagnan Jacques Cousteau, and others have played important parts in the development of scuba divers. They helped pave the way for freedom of navigation, but who is responsible for its development? And who is responsible for the earliest scuba regulator?
Jacques Cousteau
Jacques Cousteau, who was part of a program called Conshelf Saturation Dive in the 1960s that sought to determine if living underwater for extended periods of time was possible, participated in this program. Five divers took part in the experiments. They were documented in a film called World Without Sun. The ocean exploration goal has greatly improved since the invention of scuba equipment. Today, robotic underwater robots perform this work. Cousteau won the third Academy Award in Best Documentary.
Emile Gagnan
Scuba was developed by Emile Gagnan in France, who was working on valve designs for Paris's compressed gas company. He realized that scuba divers were in danger of developing nitrogen narcosis, a condition that makes people behave crazy and suffer from intense pain. Gagnan was joined by Cousteau in the design of a machine that would allow people to survive under water. They realized that oxygen regulation by air pressure would be crucial to survival.
1860s
Henry A. Fleuss (a London-based dive engineer) invented Scuba in the 1960s. Fleuss designed a diving mask that could be filled using compressed air. It also contained a bag that could hold a caustic potassium solution. The sealed circuit system enabled divers to breath air for up to 3 hours.
1860s regulator for scuba diving
Scuba regulators from the 1860s were far removed from modern technology. They were designed by Benoit Rouquayrol and Auguste Denayrouze. Benoit Rouquayrol designed the demand valve. At first, it was used in smoky places and poisonous mining areas. It was later modified to be suitable for diving. In 1865, the Rouquayrol-Denayrouze apparatus became a mass-produced product and was adopted as a French Navy standard. However, this regulator was not accepted by all French divers.
Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus
R. H. Davis created the Davis Submerged Rescue Device, also known as Davis scuba in 1914. It included a rubber breathing, buoyancy, and pressure cylinder, which contained 56 litres (at 120 bar) of oxygen. The pressure of the water around the user charged the cylinder, which was connected to the breathing bag. The Davis scuba rig was the first commercially-available rebreather, and it was used for submarine escapes in the First World War. It was also used in industrial diving.
1860s scuba glasses
In the 1860s, diving gear was less sophisticated than it is today. Before the advent of scuba goggles, divers would rely on wooden or glass diving helmets, which were ineffective against the water's pressure. Otis Barton and his family were wealthy enough to have tried out underwater exploration. Barton had used a makeshift diving helmet to explore the Massachusetts waters, and was supported by rocks.
Deane brothers scuba system
The Deane brothers first began testing their underwater apparatus in 1829. The scuba system consisted primarily of a helmet and breathing apparatus. The Deane brothers' system was a great invention. Soon, the brothers were able to start a thriving business. Their invention resulted in the first diving manual, The Method of Using Deane Brothers Patent Diving Apparatus. This detailed the functions of their apparatus and also provided safety instructions.
1860s scuba reservoir
Benoit Rouquayrol invented compressed air to create a reservoir for scuba diving in the 1860s. He had already developed the 'demand regulator' for use in underground mines and smoke filled rooms. Auguste Denayrouze adapt Rouquayrol’s designs to underwater diving in 1864. The principle behind this device still holds true today. A similar system is used by modern scuba regulators.