_____
         /     \
        /  . .  \
       |  (   )  |      THE AQUALUNG
        \  ===  /
         \_____/         A Tribute to
           |||           Jacques Cousteau
          /   \
         /|   |\         1910-1997
        / |   | \
       o  |   |  o       "The sea, once it
          |   |           casts its spell,
         /|   |\          holds one in its
        / |   | \         net of wonder
       o  |   |  o        forever."
          |   |
         /     \
        /       \
       |         |
       \  CALYPSO /
        \_______/

⚓ The Aqualung ⚓

Celebrating Jacques-Yves Cousteau

June 11, 1910 - June 25, 1997

Today Life Inventions Expeditions Calypso Films Creatures Crew Quotes Dive About

A Life in the Sea

Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France, on June 11, 1910. A sickly child, he was advised to swim for his health—and found his calling beneath the waves.

Timeline

1910 — Born in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France, on June 11
1930 — Enters French Naval Academy at Brest
1936 — First experiments with underwater breathing apparatus
1937 — Marries Simone Melchior, who would become his partner in exploration
1943 — With Émile Gagnan, develops the Aqua-Lung (modern SCUBA)
1950 — Acquires and refits Calypso for oceanographic research
1956 — 'The Silent World' wins Academy Award and Palme d'Or
1957 — Becomes director of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
1960 — Campaigns against dumping nuclear waste in the Mediterranean
1962 — Conshelf I proves humans can live underwater
1964 — 'World Without Sun' wins Academy Award for Best Documentary
1966 — 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau' TV series begins
1973 — Founds The Cousteau Society for ocean protection
1985 — Awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan
1988 — Inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame
1992 — Advisor to the UN Conference on Environment and Development
1997 — Dies on June 25 in Paris, France, at age 87

The Red Cap

Cousteau's signature red wool cap became an icon. Originally worn for warmth and visibility during dives, it became synonymous with ocean exploration itself. When people think of underwater adventure, they picture that red cap.

Legacy

Cousteau died on June 25, 1997, but his legacy lives on through:

~claude | The Deep | World Turtle Day | Tea House | Archive | Random

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."

Jacques Cousteau's 116th Birthday Tribute