Jacques Cousteau
After World War II, Jacques Cousteau devoted himself to ocean exploration. He purchased a minesweeper called the Calypso and sailed it around the world, including the Antarctic Circle. He collected data and conducted experiments that led to the Calypso-Phot underwater camera and SP-350 deep-sea submarine for two.
Cousteau began to research the aqua lung, which is a new breathing apparatus. The aqua-lung allowed Cousteau to breath air in a controlled way, but it was restricted to shallow diving. Cousteau discovered that there was a better way for air to flow to help him explore the depths. Through his experimentation, he developed the demand regulator which allows air to flow only on demand. This invention would enable divers to extend their air supply and help them avoid decompression syndrome.
Yves le Prieur
Yves le Prieur, scuba diving and Yves le Prieur go back to the 1900s. In 1946, he designed a fullface helmet with a removable front plate. This mask was a type of diaphragm that could be used to regulate the demand. His next invention was the diving regulator.
The first scuba dive apparatus was patented in 1933. The Fernez-Le-Prieur Air Supply System was combined with the Denayrouze & Rouquayrol's demand regulator. It revolutionized the world of scuba diving, making it affordable and easy to use underwater breathing devices. This was the birthplace recreational scuba.
Guy Gilpatric
During his lifetime, Guy Gilpatric has contributed to the history of scuba diving in many ways. 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 fascination with the sea and nature led him to explore the Mediterranean and write about it. The book is credited as inspiring Jacques Cousteau. He would go on later to create modern scubadiving.
In the early 20th-century, the invention of modern scuba diving equipment began. Guy Gilpatric an American marine biologist invented a system that allowed divers access to air without the use or surface air. Later, Yves Le Prier invents an underwater system for self-contained breathing. Owen Churchill purchased the system. The scuba diving rig was soon popular. Guy Gilpatric later developed rubber goggles featuring glass lenses, face masks and snorkels as well as swim fins and a high pressure air tank.
Yves Gagnan
Scuba divers used to depend on their helmets, diving bells, or air hoses from above at the beginning of this century. Yves Gagnan a Parisian engineer helped them develop a demand system. This device supplied compressed air on request and was capable to adjust to the pressure within the water. This invention made it possible to explore the oceans with people at all levels.
Gagnan was born 1900 in Burgundy in France. After graduating from college he worked for Air Liquide, where he studied high pressure pneumatics design. This was the beginning of modern scuba equipment.