Description
Diving and Underwater Technology 1405–1830 studies all the early methods of going under water, and reveals why the most important innovations occurred when they did. From the designs of 15th and 16th century military engineers, to the birth of natural philosophy and science and on into the industrial revolution, the author traces the development of diving and underwater technology up to the introduction of the standard dress in the nineteenth century. Profusely illustrated and with detailed bibliographies of all the sources, this work is an essential addition to technology libraries and divers of all persuasions.
Diving and Underwater Technology 1405–1830 is published in 2 volumes: Volume 1 covers 1405-1700; Volume 2 covers 1700-1830.
It recounts the development of diving and diving apparatus from the beginning of technological writing in the West to when it became possible to provide a continuous supply of air to a diver under water.
It studies all the printed books and numerous manuscripts on the subject produced between 1405 and 1830. Manuscripts or printed works which contain a description of diving apparatus, of an actual dive, or are wholly devoted to diving are included as a principal entry; other works without these specific details but which refer to diving, diving apparatus, shipwrecks, salvage of wrecks, and similar subjects, are included in the linking text. Each principal entry gives the author, his dates of birth and death and a brief biography, the title of the work, the reference to the relevant passage, and a note on the text. Up to about 1730 most of the principal entries include the complete text either in the original English or in an English translation, together with any illustrations. Those that do not are in most cases either quoted, paraphrased or translated elsewhere in the book.
At the end is a bibliography which lists every edition of all the principal printed sources in the same order as in the main text.
This is the largest and most detailed study of the history of early diving and underwater technology yet published.
2 volumes, crown quarto (10 x 8 inches, 254 x 203 mm.) weighing 3.4kg. It has over 900 pages and 289 illustrations almost entirely from original sources and many in colour. Case-bound in red book cloth.
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Published 2018
Nigel Phillips, Chilbolton, UK
ISBN: 978-1-9996777-0-1
