Jacques Cousteau

Full Name: Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Profession: Oceanographer, Explorer and Scientist

Nationality:

Biography: Jacques Cousteau was a renowned French naval officer, oceanographer, and filmmaker. He is known foremost as a name indelibly tied to the ocean, but also as a co-developer of the Aqua-Lung, pioneer in marine conservation, and member of the Académie française.

Cousteau initially trained as a pilot but an automobile accident ended his aviation career. He then took up ocean exploration and became a pioneer in the field. Cousteau's contributions to oceanography included not just the co-invention of the Aqua-Lung (an early model of SCUBA diving equipment) with Émile Gagnan in 1943 but also various methods and tools for underwater filming and exploration.

His research ship, the Calypso, was a symbol of exploration and adventure. Aboard the Calypso, Cousteau and his team conducted numerous expeditions, making significant discoveries related to marine life and underwater environments. These expeditions were often filmed and turned into documentaries, which played a key role in raising public awareness about the beauty and fragility of the ocean and its inhabitants.

Cousteau also produced television series, such as The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau (1966-1976), as well as writing books, including The Silent World: A Story of Undersea Discovery and Adventure (1953). This book was further turned into a documentary that Cousteau co-directed, which won the 1956 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1957.

Apart from these contributions, Cousteau was a passionate advocate for environment causes. He warned about the dangers of pollution and was a strong voice in the movement to protect the world's water bodies. His work in this field helped to spur the early development of environmentally responsible practices.

Cousteau received numerous honors during his lifetime, including the Legion of Honour from the French government, as well as being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan.

Born: June 11, 1910
Birthplace: Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Gironde, France

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: June 25, 1997 (aged 87)
Cause of Death: Heart attack