Aqua-Lung, the world's first self-contained, open-circuit underwater breathing apparatus, gained worldwide fame and commercial success. This equipment is often referred to as the "demand valve" or "twin-hose diving regulator". The basic concept of Aqua-Lung breathing apparatus is similar to that of a traditional scuba tank. The regulator is connected and controlled by a demand valve.
Jacques Cousteau
Jacques Cousteau, aqua lung - a fascinating tale in Scuba technology! The original Aqua-Lung was invented during World War II. Cousteau was a French national who developed the underwater breathing device in 1943. His inspiration came from a device perfected by Captain Yves Le Prieur in 1925. The Aqua-Lung had limited functionality at first, but the Germans demanded that automobile gas be requisitioned to use on the battlefield. Adapting an existing regulator, Cousteau developed the Aqua-Lung and eventually invented the autonomous diving system.
Cousteau was instrumental in the development of scuba technology and discovered underwater archeology. 1946 saw the first use of self-contained diving gear and the discovery of the Roman shipwreck Mahdia. The following year, he transformed a British minesweeper to an oceanographic research vessel. Unfortunately, he struggled to raise the funds for the expeditions and he eventually turned his passion for diving into a book called The Silent World, which became a successful film.
Aqua-Lung has been the most important innovation in diving. It was invented by Jacques Cousteau (in 1959) and has allowed divers freedom of movement under water. Many people have made the Aqua-Lung a standard. Cousteau also helped to develop other tools for oceanographic exploration. Cousteau invented the first underwater cam in 1959. There's no question that Cousteau's innovations revolutionized the sport of scuba diving.
Emile Gagnan
In 1945, Jacques Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan patented their Aqua-Lung diving regulator. Aire Liquide (a French company) purchased the rights for the manufacture of the regulator. Later, the U.S. purchased it. Divers Corporation. This regulator was the latest innovation of the French CG45 regulator, and it was made in Canada. This regulator proved to have great success.
Initially, the Aqualung was called Aqua-lung. The first Aqua-lung sold in France was in 1946. The Aqua-lung was then introduced to the U.S.A in 1952. In 1958, Air Liquide purchased U.S. Air Liquide purchased U.S. Divers in 1958 and changed its name to Aqua Lung America. It eventually became a division within Air Liquide, and today is the largest dive company in the world. Aqua-lung has become a major component of almost every set Scuba gear.
The Aqua-Lung was invented by two Frenchmen: Emile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau. Both men were spy for the French Resistance during World War II. Robert Ballard pursued his passion for the sea after the war. Emile Gagnan (a Frenchman who was working with L'Air Liquide) became his companion. They learned high-pressure pneumatic design as engineers. Gagnan's ideas evolved into the Aqualung, a fully automated compressed-air diving system.