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The Diver: A Historical Figure in Underwater Exploration
The diver is a historical figure in the world of underwater exploration. A diver who submerges using a special equipment called a "diver's suit". The kit mainly consists of a helmet, a rubber suit, and weighted boots for walking on the sea floor. The diver receives air from the surface through a rubber tube connected to an air pump. The tube is coaxial with a rope used to lower or raise the diver on board. In addition, the rope is used to communicate with the surface through conventional tugs.
History of the Diver
The first designs for a diver's suit date back to Leonardo da Vinci, but he did not make his studies public. In the early 19th century, Charles and John Deane of Whitstable, Kent, England, designed the first diver's helmet. Later, in 1837, Augustus Siebe built the "standard diving dress" based on studies by Leonardo da Vinci and Edmond Halley. The creation of the "Diver's School" in Genoa dates back to 1849. Although it has been disused since 1980, further developments have led to the creation of the so-called Atmospheric Diving Suits used for very deep diving or in particular environments.
Diver's Equipment
Every part of the diver's equipment has a crucial function. However, the most important part of the equipment is the diver's helmet through which the diver receives compressed air from the surface. This helmet is bolted to a special watertight diving suit made resistant to abrasion. If necessary, the suit is weighted with additional ballast weights. The diver's helmet consists of a hollow sphere made of brass, copper, or bronze with several holes: one at the bottom to allow the diver's head to enter, one at the front closed by a watertight transparent door for vision, and typically two others on the side for lateral vision.
Use of the Diver in Professional Settings
The diver is no longer used in civilian settings but is still employed in military contexts. Industrial divers for work on platforms and interventions involving tubes carrying air or gas mixtures, heating, and communication systems perform activities similar to those of divers. Sometimes referred to as "modern divers", they maintain the lightweight equipment that distinguishes divers.
Conclusions
The diver is an important figure in the history of underwater exploration. It is interesting to note how the evolution of modern underwater activities has led to the creation of state-of-the-art equipment. However, we are deeply attached to the romantic image of the diver, who wears antiquated equipment now considered obsolete. The diver, a man with the strength and courage to challenge the depths of the ocean, will always remain an icon of the history of underwater exploration.
