Scuba diving is a type of underwater diving which normally requires a diver to use an underwater breathing contraption known as a scuba regulator. Divers usually require well-built breathing machines because their lives depend on the oxygen for breathing. The diver increases his/her mobility using fin like slippers which are attached to the feet.
Scuba diving is practiced all around the world as it is a fun sport that allows divers to experience the underwater aquatic life, fawn and flora closely. This article explains the question that many scuba diving fans want to know, where was scuba diving invented?
The background of scuba diving is interconnected with the history of the invention of the scuba diving equipment. The history lies on two basic design systems which are the open circuit system and the closed circuit diving gear. The open circuit system releases the exhaled air into the water while the closed circuit simply recirculates the exhaled air.
Where Did it All Begin?
Source: Scuba Diving History 101
To answer the question, where was scuba diving invented? We have to go back in time to the European continent. Historians who have studied scuba diving trace the sport to a British man called William James. This Englishman is said to have invented the first ever open-circuit scuba apparatus.
This means that the apparatus vents out the air that is breathed out by the diver into the water. This is contrary to the concept where the air is re-taken in by the diver instead of going to waste.
William James attached a high density helmet made of copper to a waterproof diving suit. Then, he took compressed air which was mostly oxygen and packed it into a container made of metal and placed it on his waist.
He regulated the air going through the mask by gently using his hand at regular intervals. This man discovered the most basic way to become a scuba diver by using simple scientific devices.
Other Inventors
Henry William is another diver who historians say deserve recognition as the first scuba diver. Henry is recognized in scuba diving as the first person to ever get awarded the very first patent for the re-breather apparatus in 1878. Maybe this invention answers the question, where was scuba diving invented?
The scuba diving gear designed by Henry enabled a diver to stay underwater for almost 3 hours. This invention was later used for an underwater project by a diver called Alexander Lambert.
A doctor by the name Sieur Freminet is recognized for inventing the first self-contained diving gear called hydrostatergatique. It is alleged that he successfully managed to dive up to a depth of approximately 50 feet. Dr. Freminet managed to do this by using an air tank made of copper placed on his back.
The air tank provided oxygen to his helmet which was also made from copper, in strict definition, this invention makes Dr. Freminet the first scuba diver. Scuba fanatics however do not fully define Dr. Freminet’s system as scuba, hence, disregard the idea of him being the first.
Combined Effort
Another inventor who contributed greatly to the history of scuba diving is Charles Condert who is known to have invented the first scuba diving system back in 1828. This recognition is based on the suspicions that state that William James’ system had not been made and used in diving.
Charles Codert’s scuba system was created based on the driving dress invented by the Dean Brothers. This inventor scuba dived in the New York’s East River to the depth of approximately 20 feet.
As we try to answer the question where was scuba diving invented? One more inventor from France, Jacques Cousteau and his counterpart Emile Gagnan, must be recognized. These two invented and perfected the Aqua-Lung which is a scuba diving system that is still used by scuba divers to this day.
Source: Jacques Cousteau The Inventor of Scuba Diving
It might be difficult to truly acknowledge one investor as the first scuba diver. Each of the inventor mentioned introduced useful advances that made scuba diving the famous sport known today.
Scuba diving can now be done as a recreational activity and also as a profession in various applications such as in science, in entertainment and even the military. Today it is possible to see underwater aquatic life in their habitats as a result of scuba diving.
Military personnel also conduct covert operations underwater. Scuba diving has come a long way with several improvements by intelligent scientists who have passion for scuba diving.
