Re: [DL] Re: SCUBA

[SteveL1979@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/19/2001 3:32:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
pellinoire@yahoo.com writes:

<< SCUBA is relativly modern, it was invented, I believe,
 by Cuostu (the famous French diver, recently deceased)
 and another Frenchman about the time of WW II.
 Hard hat diving is much older - it might already be
 around by 1877! Certainly they had been experimenting
 for a long time. Diving bells were already old
 technology (though still far from safe). >>

    According to THE TIMETABLES OF TECHNOLOGY:
    Cousteau and Emile Gagnan invented the aqualung in 1943.
    The first known use of a diving bell, or similar apparatus, was by the 
Italians in 1535, who used a glass diving bell to explore sunken ships in 
Lake Nemi. In 1719, Edmond Halley invented a diving bell with a system of 
refreshing air, allowing for extended dives. However, the invention of the 
modern diving bell is credited to Charles Coulomb in 1756.
    Of greatest relevance to DEADLANDS, in 1842, James Eads patented a new 
type of diving bell. He used it for extensive salvage operations in the 
Mississippi River.
    So, as of 1877, diving bells are not only well within the realm of mad 
science, but of ordinary science. Plenty of scenario ideas available, no 
doubt!

Steve Long