Oceanography

  • 1643 - Torricelli of Italy invents barometer.

    Told mariners when big storms were coming( navigation)
  • 1735 – John Harrison of England invents chronometer.

    This was the first clock that could keep time to within a few seconds over the course of a year-long sea voyage. (navigation)
  • 1776- First submarine used

    The first submarine used for Warfare was during the revolutionary war. The craft named Turtle attempted to attach a time bomb to the hull of British Admiral Richard Howe's flagship Eagle in New York Harbor. (military)
  • 1917-Mason of U.S. invents the ECHO-SOUNDER

    which was used as a submarine detector. (navigation)
  • 1960- adaption of Echo Sounder

    Adaptation of the World War II echo sounder to measure ocean depths was a major breakthrough. It permitted the rapid, accurate determina­tion of ocean depths.( scientific discovery)
  • 1967 the use of drill ships began.

    These supplied sam­ples of rocks and sediments on the ocean bottom providing the final evidence to prove the Theory of Plate Tectonics. Drillships equipped with special engines to maintain their position precisely without anchoring(scientific research)
  • 1970- NOAA established

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere. (scientific research)
  • 1977 Hydrothermal Vents Discovered

    Scalding hot water pouring from these vents enriches the water with nutrients and provides food for bacteria and a host of other organisms. Found an ecosystem that thrives without sunlight. (scientific discovery)
  • 1992- Ocean Surface Mapping

    The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite is launched, providing oceanographic data that was previously impossible to obtain. It is a joint satellite mission between NASA and CNES to map ocean surface topography. It was released into space and gives us new insights to the ocean (navigation)
  • 2012- First video of Giant Squid

    Japanese expedition and film crew captured video of a live giant squid in its natural environment. This elusive creature has previously only been seen when dead specimens wash ashore or are caught in fishing nets. (scientific discovery)