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Jacques Cousteau
Opening the underwater world to divers and television audiences.
The Silent World · The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau
- Born
- 11 June 1910
- Birthplace
- Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France
- Died
- 25 June 1997
More people
Jacques Cousteau
Jacques Cousteau was a French naval officer, filmmaker and ocean explorer. His expeditions aboard Calypso combined technical experimentation with documentaries that made marine life familiar to viewers worldwide.
Early life
Early curiosity
Developed interests in cameras and mechanical devices.
Naval training
Entered the French Naval Academy in 1930.
Career
- 1930s
Diving experiments
Explored underwater photography while serving in the navy.
- 1943
Breathing equipment
Worked with Émile Gagnan on the Aqua-Lung.
- 1950 onwards
Calypso expeditions
Led voyages combining exploration and filming.
- 1970s onwards
Conservation
Expanded campaigning through the Cousteau Society.
Expeditions & discoveries
The Silent World
Co-directed an award-winning underwater documentary with Louis Malle.
The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau
Television series about marine expeditions.
Beyond work
Family collaboration
His sons Philippe Cousteau and Jean-Michel Cousteau also worked in ocean exploration.
Changing outlook
Later conservation advocacy contrasts with destructive practices visible in some early films.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Hans Peters for Anefo .. CC0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.