Although humans have been practicing the art of Diving in one form or another for centuries, Diving as a sport and recreational activity has been a fairly recent development. The earliest accounts of diving are nearly three thousand years old whereas Recreational Scuba is primarily a Post WWII phenomenon. Many credit Jacques Cousteau with the invention modern SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) when in fact, although he was in many ways responsible for the popularization of the sport, he was in no way the pioneer.
The History of Diving can be broken down into to three distinct areas:
Firstly that of Skin Diving or Breath Hold Diving. Conclusive evidence of humans participating in breath hold dives were recorded as early as 1194BC in accounts of the Trojan Wars. Divers were utilized in sabotage missions and also in the construction of underwater barricades to protect ports from enemy ships. The use of Skin Diving for the purpose of gathering food and other means of survival is most certainly much older.
Secondly is Surface supplied, or supplemental air. This art of diving was practiced and catalogued in the time of Aristotle and Alexander the great. With the use of Diving Bells, or upside down bells or kettles that were lowered to divers with air trapped inside them or large enough for divers to sit inside, men were able to spend great deals of time underwater. There are accounts from the annals and writings of both men with detailed descriptions of the technology as well as explanations of the functions performed with its use. As in Skin Diving, the basic concept has changed little and is still in practice today.
Thirdly is the Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. This is the invention to which we owe the popularity of Scuba Diving as a sport and pastime enjoyed by millions around the world. This more modern approach to underwater exploration has been a long time dream of many throughout history and has been realized to different degrees of success beginning with the first practical self contained unit developed by Henry Fleuss in 1878.
In the following sections I will endeavor to provide a comprehensive history of the sport from its earliest recorded beginnings to the present day. As in every historical account there may be errors or omissions, please feel free to let me know if you find one of these.
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