Scuba Diving's History

Firstly, we should know that the history of SCUBA diving dates back to very ancient times. For instance, the ancient Romans and Greeks used primitive techniques to dive, such as using long rods to breathe underwater or employing submerged inner tubes, which were the first examples of diving bells.

However, during the Middle Ages, diving bell technology was further developed. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, designed and drew new, modern types of diving bells and other diving equipment, though they were never built.

In 1837, Augustus Siebe, a German engineer, invented the first diving helmet connected to an air pump on the surface. It allowed divers to work underwater for longer periods.

Later, after the Second World War, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and the engineer Émile Gagnan developed the Aqua-Lung, the first autonomous and practical underwater breathing apparatus. This device allowed divers to breathe compressed air from a tank. Furthermore, the Aqua-Lung Diving Company is still one of the largest diving equipment manufacturing companies today.

During the 1950s and 1960s, SCUBA diving became increasingly popular. During this period, the first training agencies were born, standardizing courses and certifications for amateur divers. For example, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) helped make SCUBA diving safe and accessible to anyone who wanted to explore the underwater world.