Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born on June 11, 1910 in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, near Bordeaux, in the family of lawyer Daniel and Elisabeth Cousteau.

In 1930, he enlisted in the Navy as head of an underwater research group.

In 1933, Cousteau graduated from the French Maritime Academy and received the rank of lieutenant. He dreamed of a naval career and saw himself as the captain of a military cruiser. Cousteau was assigned to the training ship Joan of Arc, on which he was able to sail around the world.

However, in 1936 he was involved in a car accident, which forever closed the path to Cousteau's military career. During a long period of rehabilitation, Cousteau invented scuba diving goggles.

In 1937 he married Simone Melichor, with whom he had two sons, Jean-Michel (1938) and Philippe (1940).

In 1937, Cousteau met Philippe Taillet, a naval officer, poet, humanist, and a man in love with the sea. It was he who became Cousteau’s “godfather” in free immersion. From the moment they met, Cousteau forever devoted himself to learning the secrets of the underwater world. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Philippe Tailleux and Frederic Dumas, who soon joined them, have been almost inseparable since then - they were even nicknamed “the three musketeers”. They dive, looking for a way to prolong their stay under water using all the means known to them.

In 1943, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with Emile Gagnan, invented a device designed for breathing under water - the first scuba gear.

During World War II, Jacques-Yves Cousteau served in the artillery as a machine gunner and at the end of the war he was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor for his active participation in the anti-fascist partisan struggle.

During the war years, Cousteau began to engage in underwater filming and creating scientific research documentaries based on his own materials. After the defeat of Germany, Cousteau founded and headed the Undersea Research Group.

Already in 1946, industrial production of scuba gear began. Cousteau's passion for scuba diving and exploration of the ocean depths prompted him to make other discoveries: he came up with the “underwater saucer” - a small maneuverable submarine, as well as various types of video cameras for underwater filming.

Back in 1948, Cousteau became a corvette captain, and in 1950 he purchased a decommissioned British destroyer and converted it into a floating research laboratory, which became known internationally as the Calypso. It was on this legendary ship that Cousteau and his team traveled around the world more than once, explored marine flora and fauna, and made unique recordings, filming, and photographs. The first achievements of the Calypso team included extensive underwater archaeological research and photographing the seabed at a depth of 7250 m.

In 1956, Jacques-Yves Cousteau retired from the French Navy with the rank of captain and took up the post of director of the Oceanographic Institute and Museum in Monaco.

In 1974, the Cousteau Society was founded, a non-profit research organization whose main goal is the protection of the world's oceans.

In December 1990, Simone Cousteau died suddenly. Only she alone could influence the explosive character of Captain Cousteau. Simone's ashes were scattered over the sea off the coast of Monaco.

In 1991, a year after his wife Simone died from cancer, he married Francine Triplett. By that time, they already had a daughter, Diana (1980), and a son, Pierre (1982), born before their marriage.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau died in Paris on June 25, 1997 at the age of 87 from a myocardial infarction as a result of complications of a respiratory disease. He was buried in the family plot in the Saint-André-de-Cubzac cemetery.

After the death of Captain Cousteau, his work was continued by the Cousteau Society and the Ocean Future Society created by Jean-Michel Cousteau.

The report will tell about the famous conqueror of the deep sea, who studied the underwater world for more than 60 years and became a real symbol of the ocean. Dozens of books have been written about this man and a large number of films have been made. He continues to be admired to this day when it comes to studying the “blue continent” of our planet.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau born June 11, 1910 in France, where his research activities began. An unfortunate car accident harmed his health and ruined his plans to conquer the sky and become an aviator. Doctors prescribed physical therapy, and Jacques-Yves’ recovery took place in the pool. It was after this that the young man became seriously interested in the sea.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau is a French explorer of the World Ocean, photographer, director, inventor, author of many books and films.

During that period, he invented his first underwater glasses. After the first successful development, the researcher moves on and comes up with new equipment for diving under water. In 1943, he creates the first scuba gear that works automatically. And three years later after successful testing, this project was put into production.

Over time, the inventor develops lighting devices and television cameras that allow filming at great depths. And soon Jacques Cousteau presented to the world the submersible bathyscaphe he designed. This was a real breakthrough in ocean research.

History of "Calypso"

Conquering the oceans was not easy for the French. For a long time, the inventor did not have his own ship, until the Irish millionaire Thomas Guinness gave him a ship. To avoid problems with documents, Tom rented it out to Jacques-Yves for just one franc. During World War II, the ship was a British troop boat, but later became one of the most famous exploration ships in the world. Cousteau gave the ship the name "Calypso" and equipped it with technical equipment for diving.

Over many years of work, the yacht traveled to all continents of the world together with a research team of 11 people. "Calypso" plowed all the water expanses of the planet, including the bed of the Amazon River, and the shores of Antarctica. The ship helped explore the depths of the sea, overcoming difficulties and getting into various adventures, however, in 1996 it collided with a barge and sank off the coast of Singapore. At the moment, they plan to turn the ship raised from the bottom into a Cousteau museum.

A ship equipped with an explorer to study the world's oceans.

Legacy of the Ocean Conqueror

Jacques-Yves Cousteau was not only an inventor, but also a brilliant photographer, as well as the author of a number of publications and films. His book and the film of the same name “In a Silent World” have become world heritage. This film was the first documentary to win an award at Cannes. His two subsequent films, “The Story of the Red Fish” and “A World Without Sun,” received an Academy Award.

The commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor studies the underwater world.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau is known in every corner of the Earth thanks to a whole series of television programs and printed publications that have been translated into dozens of languages. He For his services, he was repeatedly awarded medals and orders.

The famous oceanographer died in 1997, just a year after his legendary Calypso sank.

Among explorers of the World Ocean, Jacques-Yves Cousteau is a true legend. During his long life, the French explorer, director and inventor made many incredible discoveries, invented scuba gear and released the “Underwater Odyssey” series of programs.

The childhood of the future discoverer of the depths

Captain Cousteau - this is how Jacques-Yves was called by his relatives in adulthood. In his early childhood, this wonderful man lived in the capital of France. His birthplace was the town of Saint-André-de-Cubzac.

Jacques-Yves was born on June 11, 1910. Cousteau's father worked as a lawyer, received his doctorate quite early and had some fame in legal circles.

The boy's mother was from a family of respected pharmacists, but after the birth of her child she became interested in household life and housekeeping. Jacques-Yves had a brother, Pierre-Antoine, who was older than Cousteau the Younger.

The Cousteau family had average income. Jacques-Yves' parents traveled a lot and took their children with them. While relaxing at sea, Jacques-Yves learned to swim. It was then that the future discoverer fell in love with water.

At the age of seven, Cousteau Jr. fell ill with enteritis. The disease made him excessively thin, and he remained that way until the end of his days.

When World War I ended, the Cousteau family moved from Paris to the States. There, young Cousteau became interested in invention. He studied mechanics diligently. At the age of thirteen, he invented a car engine that took power from a battery. Then the young man began filming everything around him.

An abundance of interests led the teenager Jacques-Yves to a closed elite boarding school. Since a regular school could not satisfy the boy with its knowledge.

Cousteau graduated from the closed school with an excellent grade. Afterwards he applied to the Naval Academy. There he became much closer to his discoveries, which would later be called the research of the “Blue Continent,” meaning the seas and oceans.

After entering, Cousteau served in Shanghai. While walking around the city, Jacques-Yves one day came across diving goggles. It was then that he realized what he wanted to do in life.

Cousteau: professional growth

The fifties were a very fruitful time for Cousteau. During this period, the young researcher rented a decommissioned minesweeper, renamed it Calypso, and then set off on his first expedition.

When Jacques-Yves returned, he published the book “In a World of Silence.” It immediately became a popular science bestseller. A documentary film was made based on the book, which received an Oscar and the prestigious Palme d'Or.

Then there were no less famous tapes, followed by a series of programs that were aired for 20 years. The Odyssey of Team Cousteau was an incredible success. Discoveries made underwater stunned spectators.

Some researchers criticized Cousteau for his cruel treatment of fish. They believed that some of the filming in the programs was staged.

Despite the criticism, Jacques-Yves continued his odyssey, exploring the depths and oceans. He gave people the opportunity to see a world that was impossible to visit without special skills and equipment.

What did Cousteau invent?

Jacques-Yves' inventions include the first scuba gear. Cousteau was simply tired of the restrictions that a mask and snorkel imposed on diving. Then he, together with Emil Ganyan, came up with the idea of ​​​​connecting cylinders with air with durable tubes. So in 1938, scuba diving was born.

Cousteau also invented a waterproof camera that takes photographs underwater. Cousteau also invented the first filming system capable of operating at great depths.

Cousteau explored the depths of the sea so carefully that he noticed the smallest details of the life of not only flora, but also deep-seated fauna. He suggested that porpoises communicate using dowsing. The theory was confirmed by biologists.

Divulgationism was also invented by Cousteau. This system of exchanging all kinds of opinions between experts and the audience is used in many talk shows today.

The enormous contribution of the French oceanographer to science cannot be measured by any measures. Many theories of depths are based on his research. Thanks to Cousteau, the world of Oceans and Seas has become much closer to all of humanity.

Cousteau and his personal life

In 1937, Jacques-Yves married the daughter of Admiral Simone Melchior. The wife accompanied her husband on most of his expeditions.

In this marriage, Cousteau had two sons. One of his sons, Philip, died in a plane crash.

Cousteau's second wife was Francine Triplett. In this marriage, the researcher had a daughter and a son.

Because of his second marriage, Jacques-Yves finally had a fight with his first son. During the trial, the oceanographer imposed a ban on the use of his surname in trade and commerce by all family members.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau: the end of the road

Jacques-Yves died in 1997 from a heart attack. He was buried in his hometown, where the Cousteau family crypt is still located today.

“Team Cousteau”, even after the death of its captain, continued to explore the depths of the oceans. All over the world there are many memorial sites dedicated to the brave discoverer. Schools, streets and new research programs are named in his honor.

Jacques-Yves is a famous oceanographer, photographer, inventor (including the first scuba tank), and technician. In addition, this man is the author of many films and books. Today we will talk about what Jacques-Yves Cousteau is famous for.

Origin, childhood

The future ocean explorer was born on June 11, 1910 in France (Saint-André-de-Cubzac). Jacques-Yves's father was a lawyer. Cousteau made many trips in his youth and learned to swim from early childhood. However, due to his illness, he lost a lot of weight, so the doctor did not recommend the boy to do much physical activity.

The Cousteau family lived and worked in the United States from 1920 to 1922. Here Jacques-Yves learned English. These years of life were very eventful for Cousteau. Jacques-Yves Cousteau showed great interest in design and mechanics. At a summer scout camp, the future inventor made his first dives. Returning to France, he purchased the first movie camera and also designed a battery-powered car.

Studying at the academy, traveling

Jacques-Yves's training at the French Naval Academy dates back to the early 1930s. He was lucky, as his group went on a trip around the world on the ship "Joan of Arc". After some time, Jacques-Yves Cousteau ended up in Shanghai, at a naval base. A couple of years later, he also visited the USSR. In Soviet Jacques-Yves took a lot of photographs of the Union, but almost all of the photographs were confiscated from him.

Accident, work as an instructor, marriage

Cousteau wanted to become a pilot as a young man after completing his training at the Naval Aviation Academy. However, he was involved in a serious car accident and suffered many injuries, which forced him to give up this dream. Simone Melchior, Jacques-Yves's beloved girlfriend, helped him survive. In 1936, for the purpose of rehabilitation, Cousteau began working as an instructor on the cruiser Sufren. Here, in the port of Toulon, he explored the sea for the first time in his life wearing special glasses. Jacques-Yves realized that this was his destiny.

Cousteau married Simone Melchior (pictured above) in 1937. They had sons Philippe and Jean-Michel.

Snorkeling, founding of a film company and first films

Together with Philippe Taillet and Frédéric Dumas, Cousteau plunged into the water in 1938 with a snorkel, mask and fins. He later wrote of his first explorations of the ocean while wearing a mask that what greeted his eyes was a “stunning sight.”

Jacques-Yves became the founder of a film company called Shark Association in the early 1940s. In 1942, Cousteau's 18-minute film "8 Meters Under Water" appeared. It became one of Jacques-Yves' first paintings about the underwater world. Cousteau participated in the resistance movement in France during World War II.

Inventions of Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Speaking about what Jacques-Yves Cousteau is famous for, it is impossible not to talk about many of them - the creation of scuba gear. In 1943, the first prototype was tested. And it was successful. This model was developed by Jacques-Yves together with Emile Gagnan. In 1946, mass production of scuba gear began. During his lifetime, Jacques-Yves Cousteau also created lighting fixtures, an underwater television system and the SP350 (“diving saucer”), a small submarine with good maneuverability. It was intended for scientific exploration of the depths of the ocean. On behalf of the French Navy, immediately after the end of the war, Cousteau founded a school of scuba divers. Somewhat later, Jacques-Yves Cousteau became the head of the French Center for Underwater Research.

"Calypso"

In the early 1950s, this ship, which previously belonged to the British Royal Navy, but was decommissioned, became Jacques-Yves' naval "base". Cousteau converted it into a mobile laboratory. After this, Jacques-Yves Cousteau began to carry out research on it in the ocean. The discoveries he made on this ship are numerous. One of the first achievements made on the Calypso was photographing the seabed at depths of up to 7.2 km. Jacques-Yves was often accompanied by his wife on expeditions. And his sons, Philippe and Jacques-Michel, worked as cabin boys.

The first book, new films and world fame

By the beginning of the 1950s, Jacques-Yves Cousteau had already accumulated significant experience in studying the ocean. His research was to become public knowledge. To this end, Cousteau, together with Frederic Dumas, wrote a book in 1953 called “In a World of Silence.” In it, for the first time, readers were introduced to the world of the ocean, to the study of which Jacques-Yves Cousteau devoted many years of his life. The film based on this book, released in 1956, won an Oscar. It immediately brought world fame to its authors. Cousteau traveled across the Indian Ocean and Red Sea in 1954. The result of this expedition was the series known to many of us - “The Odyssey of the Cousteau Team.” This is what Jacques-Yves Cousteau is famous for throughout the world. The underwater explorer in 1957 became the director of the

"Underwater Houses" and "Cousteau Society"

The development of "Underwater Houses", an ambitious project of this researcher, dates back to the 1960s. Its implementation was the 1963 operation "Precontinent II" and 1965 "Precontinent III".

But we haven’t told you everything about what Jacques-Yves Cousteau is famous for. This researcher was a prominent public figure. In 1973, Jacques-Yves created the non-profit organization Cousteau Society, whose goal is to protect the marine environment.

The researcher carried out his expeditions, studying unknown zones of the World Ocean. Jacques-Yves designed new types of ships that are environmentally friendly. In 1985, its “fleet” was replenished with the yacht ALCYONE, which moves thanks to an electric wind system. In 1979, during the filming of another film, Jacques-Yves' youngest son, Philippe, died.

Cousteau Foundation, expedition to Antarctica, marriage to Triplett

In 1981, the Cousteau Foundation was created in Paris. Nine years later, the researcher went on an expedition to Antarctica. He took six children with him (one representative from each continent) so that the whole world could see that the nature of Antarctica should be preserved for the younger generation.

In 1990, Simone, Cousteau's wife, died of cancer. A year after her death, Jacques-Yves married for the second time. Francine became his wife; even before marriage, she bore him a son, Pierre, and a daughter, Diana.

"Calypso-2"

The Calypso sank in 1996 as a result of a collision with a barge. This happened in the port of Singapore. The ship could not be restored. After some time, it was exhibited in the museum of La Rochelle. After its breakdown, Jacques-Yves Cousteau began construction of Calypso-2. His biography is marked by many sea expeditions carried out together with the crew on board this ship.

Death

The researcher died at the age of 87 on June 25, 1997. Death occurred after suffering from a respiratory illness that occurred with complications. Jacques-Yves died of a myocardial infarction. This happened in Bordeaux (France). He was buried in the Saint-André-de-Cubzac cemetery.

Jacques-Yves has received many different awards for his research. Among them, the Order of the Legion of Honor, which was received by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, was especially valuable. The books of his authorship, which are considered the most famous, are the following: “The Living Sea”, “The Life and Death of Corals”, “In a World of Silence”, “Sunken Treasures”, “A World Without Sun”, etc.

The Jacques-Yves case continues

And today the “Cousteau Team” and the “Cousteau Society” are working - organizations created by him. His children and grandchildren continue the work of the researcher, studying the World Ocean. Jean-Michel, his son, is an environmentalist, researcher, film producer, and teacher. His grandson Fabien (pictured below) also followed in his grandfather’s footsteps. He decided to become an oceanographer. In honor of Jacques-Yves, he undertook a 31-day underwater scientific expedition in 2014.

The dive took place at the Aquarius station. Thus, today the important work for humanity that Jacques-Yves Cousteau began continues. His biography inspires many people to explore the depths of the ocean and protect the environment.

Date of birth: June 25, 1910
Date of death: 1997
Place of birth: Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France.

Jacques Cousteau- famous traveler. Jacques Cousteau(Jacques-Yves Cousteau) - ocean explorer. Traveler, creator of underwater photographs, tester of technical innovations related to the exploration of the World Ocean.

Jacques was born in 1910, on June 25 in a small French town. His father, Daniel, served as a personal assistant to a wealthy businessman. Mother, Elizabeth, took care of the house. The family traveled a lot, and the boy was almost constantly in the boarding school. Perhaps this was due to Jacques' intestinal disease, due to which he was constantly underweight.

In 1920, the family moved to New York. Jacques and his brother Pierre finally went to school and learned English. The first dive under water is associated with this time. After the family returned to France, Jacques developed a talent as a designer, which greatly helped him in later life.
Engineering skills came in very handy while studying at the Naval Academy. After graduation, assignment to Shanghai followed. All this time, Jacques dreamed of flying, of becoming a naval pilot. A car accident prevented him from fulfilling his dream due to health problems. But it was also the impetus for studying oceanography - during rehabilitation after an accident, Jacques saw goggles for swimming underwater. Once he saw the underwater world, he was captivated by it forever.

In 1937, Jacques and Simone Melchor were married, and two sons were soon born.
During the Second World War, Jacques did not stay away from the fighting and actively participated in the military resistance.
Since the middle of the last century, perhaps the most interesting years have come for him. A minesweeper, converted into a research vessel, led by Cousteau, carried out research activities. At the same time, “In a Silent World” was filmed. This film was highly acclaimed and received top cinematic awards.

This was followed by an appointment to the director's position at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.
Cousteau lived a long life - 87 years. Died as a result of acute heart failure on June 25, 1997.

Achievements of Jacques Yves Cousteau:

Tester of diving equipment. He introduced many modifications and innovations to existing life support systems. Developed equipment for underwater photography.
He described the principle of geolocation in animals, which became the basis for the emergence and improvement of navigation devices.
Awarded five significant awards from France.
He made about a hundred films. All of them, as a rule, are dedicated to travel and animals.

Dates from the biography of Jacques Yves Cousteau:

1910 born in the small French town of Saint-André-de-Cubzac
1930 entered the Naval Academy.
In 1936 he became an instructor on a cruiser.
1937 was legally married to Simone Melchior.
1950 converted warship into research ship Calypso.
1967 began filming a film about the inhabitants of the ocean and their relationships with humans.
1973 founded a society that was engaged in environmental activities.
1997 Died from acute heart failure.

Interesting facts about Jacques Cousteau:

Payment for a rented ship for scientific purposes was 1 franc annually.
In Russia there is a school named after the researcher.
One of the last films, started in 1997, was dedicated to Lake Baikal.
There is a monument dedicated to Jacques Cousteau underwater. It is located in Alushta.
He has always advocated for preserving the purity of the ocean as a source of life on Earth.