27.—Historical Development of Diving and its Contribution to Marine Science and Research

One of the first diving attempts in connection with marine exploration was started some 400 km from Edinburgh. On September 8, 1820, the Swiss physician Louis- Theodore Colladon [1] submerged in a diving-bell 10 m deep to the bottom of the sea at Howth, near Dublin (Ireland). During an hour's stay under water he observed and measured the ground. Being a diving doctor, he did not only take an interest in technical dates concerning the diving-bell, but he also kept a diary where he noted the professional divers inside the bell were supplied with additional nourishment as bread and brandy ‘in order to regain soonest their lost strength'. This paved the way for human entry into the sea, and henceforth science and research could be extended from the continents to the submarine field. People became aware of the ocean's importance which covers 71 per cent, of the terrestrial globe. Men invaded the element from where all life on earth seemed to descen