Oceanography Timeline

By AllysonL03

  • Edmund Halley

    Edmund Halley was an English astronomer who embarked on a scientific voyage to observe the variation of the magnetic compass. The journey contributed greatly to the understanding of trade winds and the field of information visualization (scientific research)

  • First Diving Suit

    Karl Heinrich Klingert, a German mechanic, develops a device consisting of leather trousers, a helmet with a porthole, and a metal front linked to an air reservoir. This is considered to be the first diving suit, with a limited capacity for diving due to the suit's inability to replenish its own air (scientific research)

  • California Coast

    In 1852, Captain James Alden became the first to develop a reconnaissance chart of the California Coast (navigation)

  • First U.S. Navy Submarine

    In 1861, French emigrant Brutus de Villeroi was contracted by the U.S. Navy to build a submarine, which would be known as the Alligator and would be active in the Civil War (military)

  • First Oceanographic Research Vessel

    The Albatross, a steamer built by the U.S. Fisheries Commission, became the first ship to operate for the purpose of oceanographic research (scientific research)

  • Scripps Institute of Oceanography

    The Scripps Institute of Oceanography first became affiliated with the University of California in 1912.The institute was then able to broaden its scope of scientific studies, and is now one of the world's leading marine research centers(scientific research)

  • Research During World War II

    As World War II progressed, electronic navigation systems were established to improve precision bombing tactics. These systems were then used to conduct hydrographic surveys, and further research conducted during the war resulted in many new tools for the purpose of ocean exploration (military, scientific research)

  • First All-Female Team of Oceanographers

    In May of 1970, the first all-female team of oceanographers were led by Dr. Sylvia Earle on a research mission aboard the Tektite underwater laboratory (scientific research)

  • Seafloor Mapping from Space

    Data from the Geosat satellite radar is made declassified by the U.S. Navy, allowing for worldwide mapping of the sea floor (navigation)

  • Mariana Trench National Monument

    The Mariana Trench National Monument, established by President George W. Bush, protects 95,216 square miles of ocean in the Mariana Archipelago (recreational)