Dr. Robert Ballard

  • Robber Ballards life begins.

    Robber Ballards life begins.
    Robert Ballard was born on June 30th 1942 in Kansas. Shortly after his family moved to San Diego where he took on an interest for watching creatures in tidal pools.
  • Father helps him get a job.

    At the age of 19, Robert Ballard's father who works as a missle scientist at North American Aviatation helped him get a job at an Ocean System Group. In this group, they were in competition for a contract to build a three man deep ocean Submersible.
  • Robert Ballard graduates from College.

    Robert Ballard graduates from College.
    After graduating High School in 1965 and training to be a military oficer, Robert Ballard graduated from college in 1965 at the University of California. He went on to the University of Hawaii anyways, to study more about Marine Geology.
  • Robert Ballard joins the Navy.

    Robert Ballard joins the Navy.
    After 2 years of being in the Army, Robert Ballard was put on call to be sent to Vietnam but requested to be transferred to the Navy. While in the Navy, Ballard had an easier time working with submarines and submersibles, such as Alvin- the one he frequented on explorations.
  • First professional submarine exploration.

    First professional submarine exploration.
    Maps out ocean floor off the coast of Florida. This took Robert Ballard 4 whole years to do, but earned him his Ph. D in marine geology.
  • Robert Ballard explores ocean floor.

    Robert Ballard explores ocean floor.
    While on an exploration off the Galapagos, Robert Ballard discovers life on the ocean floor where it was believed not to be able to sustain life. He discovered giant tube worms and other organisms which survived off vents in the ocean floor.
  • Discovery of the Titantic.

    Discovery of the Titantic.
    With a team of American and French researchers, Robert Ballard help discover the massive luxury ship with the use of underwater robots. They found a boiler first and debris, but then the whole ship.
  • Discovers the Bismarck.

    Discovers the Bismarck.
    After Robert Ballards discovery of the Titanic, he wanted to find more major ship wrecks so he went after the German battleship, the Bismarck. At 15,700 feet- The battleship lay at rest in the mud in a surprisingly good condition.
  • Dr. Ballard marries Barbara Earle Ballard.

    Barbara Earle Ballard helps produce 4 movie documentaries on the Titanic after marrying Dr. Ballard. They have two children together, Ben and Emily.
  • Ballard is earns the Lone Sailor Award.

    Ballard is earns the Lone Sailor Award.
    Ballard earns the Lone Sailor Award for his Navy service and underwater archeaology finds. This award is given to those who have shown examples of honor, courage and commitment as well as keep a career.
  • Robert Ballard joins the mystic aquarium.

    Robert Ballard joins the mystic aquarium.
    Robert Ballard expressed interest in eeducating about the deep sea as well as ship wrekcs. The Mystic Aquarium welcomes him and he creates the Insitute for Exploration part of the aquarium.
  • Helps create an exhibit dedicated to the Titanic at the Mystic Aquarium.

    With a $1 million dollar donation, Doctor Robert Ballard and a fromer Disney Imagineer named Tim Delaney, the two collaberate to create a large exhibit dedicated to the Titanic. The exhibit was made to educate about sea exploration and the ships maiden voyage.