Dr. Christian Lambertsen, SCUBA Inventor, Dies At 93
(CBS) - The Newtown Square man who invented the first SCUBA system in 1941 has died at the age of 93. Christian Lambertsen was a scientist, doctor and a diver.
In 1941, Lambertsen was working with the Army's Office of Strategic Services to create special underwater forces. The underwater breathing equipment was used by the military in World War 2 and late the term "SCUBA", meaning self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, was coined. Lambertsen was honored for his work in 2009.
"It was designed for rescue work for swimmers, and went on from there to design further forms of breathing apparatus aimed at military operations and swimming," Lambertsen said.
Lambertsen also studied oxygen toxicity, diving related diseases and how humans can work in hostile environments including the oceans and outer space. A memorial service is planned at the University of Pennsylvania in the spring.
Reported by Kim Glovas, KYW Newsradio 1060
