Jacques Cousteau
Jacques Cousteau devoted all his energy to ocean exploration, even after World War II. He bought the Calypso, a minesweeper, and sailed it around all of the globe, even the Antarctic Circle. He performed experiments and collected data which he used to create the Calypso-Phot underwater camera and the SP-350 deep-sea, two-man submarine.
Cousteau began his research by developing a new breathing apparatus, called the aqua-lung. This apparatus allowed Cousteau, although it could only be used for shallow dives, to control his airflow. Cousteau realized that there had to be a better way of controlling the flow of air to explore the depths of oceans. Through his experimentation, he developed the demand regulator which allows air to flow only on demand. This invention would allow divers to increase their air supply and prevent decompression sickness.
Yves le Prieur
Yves le Prieur and scuba diving go back to the early 1900s. In 1946, he created a fullface mask that had a loose face plate. This was to be used as a demand regulator's diaphragm. The diving regulator was his next invention.
1933 was the date that the first Scuba Diving Equipment was Patented. This combination of the Fernez-Le-Prieur system for air supply and the demand regulator developed by Rouquayrol, Denayrouze, and Rouquayrol created the first scuba diving apparatus. This device changed the face of scuba diving by making underwater respirators affordable and more accessible. This was the birthplace recreational scuba.
Guy Gilpatric
Guy Gilpatric made many contributions to the history of scuba dive during his lifetime. The first sport diving manual was written by him, and his articles for The Saturday Evening Post were among the first to cover scuba diving. His passion for the sea and its natural beauty led him explore the Mediterranean and to write about it. It is believed that the book inspired Jacques Cousteau to develop modern scuba diving.
In the early 20th Century, the inventions of modern scuba diving gear were made. Guy Gilpatric (an American marine biologist) invented a system which allowed divers to breath air without having to use surface air. Later, Yves Le Prier invents an underwater system for self-contained breathing. He sold the system to Owen Churchill, and the scuba rig quickly gained popularity. Guy Gilpatric then developed rubber goggles with glass lenses, face masks, snorkels, swim fins, and a high-pressure air tank.
Yves Gagnan
The first century saw scuba divers relying on the use of diving bells, helmets, and air hoses. Yves Gagnan (Parisian engineer) helped them to create a demand valve system. The new device could provide compressed air on demand and adjust to the pressure in the water. This invention made it possible to explore the oceans with people at all levels.
Gagnan was born in Burgundy, France, in 1900. After graduating college, he started working at Air Liquide. There he learned high-pressure pneumatic designing. This led to the creation of the scuba equipment we use today.