Reduce Diving to a Science: Cultural and technical history of diving in the Early Modern Period (1420-1815)

The early modern period was a particularly exciting and pioneering era for the development of diving technology. The beginnings of commercial diving, scientific diving and recreational diving can be found here. In the 17th century, basic research was carried out using the new experimental method, which demystified diving. Diving developed from a secret art to the practical application of scientific laws, today's diving technology or diving science. This work uses the diving bell as an example to show the dominant line of development in diving technology in this era. It represents a basic innovation on which all further designs are based. The development of the diving bell opened up extensive new technical territory and triggered a broad stream of subsequent innovations with far-reaching economic and social consequences. For example, the development of the closed helmet diving suit in the 19th century was a consequence of the knowledge gained from the diving bell. The period of this study is based on two key dates in the development of diving apparatus: After antiquity the first mention of a diving bell is from a manuscript from 1420 - as far as we know - and the year 1815 marks the beginning of series production and export of diving bells. This work therefore examines a complete innovation process that begins with a theoretical idea and ends with an international transfer into practice. In addition to contemporary literature, inventor's privileges on diving equipment are examined for the first time, which represent a partially unprocessed archive source on the history of diving. They will be indexed and evaluated in a large number of European archives in terms of content and in a broader overall view spanning three centuries. The question of which socio-cultural factors have an influence on innovations will also be examined.