When was scuba developed? Many people will say the 1860s, but when was scuba really invented? Let's start by looking at the first scuba equipment. Emile Gagnan (Jacques Cousteau), and many other pioneers have played important roles in the evolution scuba diving. They were instrumental in paving the way to freedom of navigation. But, who is responsible and why? Who was responsible for the development of the first regulator for scuba diving?
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 participated in the experiment, which was documented in a film called World Without Sun. The goal of ocean exploration has become much more achievable since the advent of scuba gear. Today, robot undersea robotics do this work. Cousteau's documentary won a third Academy Award for 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 collaborated with Cousteau to develop a machine that could be used to enable people to swim underwater. They understood that the key to survival would be air-pressure regulation.
1860s
Henry A. Fleuss - a London-based diver engineer - invented Scuba in 1861. Fleuss' design consisted of a diving mask with a spout that could be filled with compressed air. The bag could also be filled with caustic potash. This sealed circuit allowed divers to inhale air for up three hours.
1860s scuba regulator
The 1860s scuba regulators weren't much different from current technology. They were designed and developed by Auguste Denayrouze, Benoit Rouquayrol, and Auguste Denayrouze. Benoit Rouquayrol's demand valve was first used in smoky rooms and poisonous mines, but was later adapted for use in 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 Device
R. H. Davis created the Davis Submerged Rescue Device, also known as Davis scuba in 1914. It contained a rubber breathing & buoyancy bag, a barium hydroxide canister, and a steel pressurecylinder with 56 litres of oxygen at 120 bars. This cylinder was connected directly to the breathing bags and was powered by the pressure in the surrounding water. 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 goggles
The 1860s were a time when diving equipment was not as sophisticated and advanced as it is now. Divers used to use wooden or glass helmets for protection against water pressure before the invention of scuba goggles. Otis Barton, a wealthy man, was one of two families that had tried underwater exploration as a hobby. Barton had used a makeshift diving helmet to explore the Massachusetts waters, and was supported by rocks.
Deane brothers scuba system
In 1829, the Deane brothers began to test their underwater apparatus. The scuba system was composed of a helmet, a breathing apparatus, and a mask. The Deane brothers made a very successful invention, and their business exploded. 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. Rouquayrol already had the 'demand regulator', which he used in underground mines or smoke-filled rooms. Auguste Denayrouze applied Rouquayrol’s design to underwater diving in 1864. This device's principle is still the same. Modern scuba regulators use a similar system.