A Garment for Underwater Exploration 1720 (Spain) 1 Sheet, manuscript with drawing on paper; 41,5 × 28,2 cm Spanish State Archives General Archive of the Indies ES.41091.AGI//MP-INGENIOS,248 Underwater exploration has a very long history. Free-diving (to collect food or other sea products,such as sponges or pearls) took place since early antiquity in the Mediterranean Sea and in many other regions and seas around the world. The idea of using a contraption such as a diving bell to allow someone to remain underwater for extended periods has been with us for a long time. It was only in the 16th and 17th centuries that more sustained efforts were made to design and construct equipment for underwater work, but the question of providing air to the diver remained problematic. In the 18th century different models of diving suits were proposed and different breathing systems were also developed. Systems that pumped air to the diver were designed, allowing greater autonomy for the diver under ...