100 years of deep-sea filmmaking and ocean exploration

The evolution of underwater filmmaking over the past century has been marked by significant technological advancements and pioneering efforts. In 1917, civil engineer Hans Hartman developed a 1,500-pound electric submarine camera capable of descending 1,000 feet to capture images of submerged objects, marking an early attempt at deep-sea videography.

In 1940, Austrian biologist and diver Hans Hass produced “Pirsch unter Wasser” (“Stalking under Water”), a 16-minute underwater film that premiered in Berlin in 1942, showcasing marine life and underwater exploration.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau, along with engineer Émile Gagnan, revolutionized underwater exploration in the 1940s by inventing the Aqua-Lung, the first open-circuit scuba technology, which allowed for extended underwater filming. Cousteau’s contributions to underwater cinematography include the Academy Award-winning documentary “The Silent World” (1956), which provided audiences with unprecedented views of oceanic life.

These milestones have collectively advanced the field of underwater filmmaking, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the ocean’s depths.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/underwater-filmmaking-history/

popsci.com

100 years of deep-sea filmmaking and ocean exploration

In 1917, a civil engineer pioneered the first deep-sea vehicle to attempt filming underwater. A century later, we have James Cameron and AI.