Always Has Been: Chapter 1: Edmund Halley's Diving Bell and Its Impact on Underwater Exploration

In 1697, astronomer Edmund Halley developed the diving bell, a key advancement in underwater exploration technology. This apparatus allowed divers to stay submerged longer by providing a supply of air. However, its implementation revealed health challenges such as decompression sickness, commonly known as 'the bends,' due to a lack of knowledge about pressure changes. Early diving missions, typically around shipwreck sites, underscored these risks, prompting safety improvements and a better understanding of underwater exploration.