The quest for underwater exploration is as old as human curiosity itself. While modern submarines conjure images of sophisticated military vessels gliding silently beneath the waves, their origins are rooted in surprisingly early human innovation. The journey from crude underwater vessels to today’s nuclear-powered submarines spans centuries of ingenuity, perseverance, and sometimes outright danger.
Cornelis Drebbel: Father of the Submarine
Most historians credit Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel with creating the first navigable submarine in the early 17th century. Between 1620 and 1624, Drebbel built and successfully demonstrated a series of submersible boats on the Thames River in London. King James I of England reportedly witnessed one of these demonstrations, where Drebbel’s creation remained submerged for three hours.
Drebbel’s submarine was essentially a leather-covered wooden rowboat made watertight with greased leather. It was propelled by oars that extended through watertight seals and could reportedly accommodate 12 passengers. What made Drebbel’s invention truly remarkable was his solution to the most fundamental challenge of underwater travel: providing breathable air.
The Mystery of Drebbel’s Air Supply
Perhaps most fascinating about Drebbel’s submarine was his mysterious method for refreshing the air supply. Some historians believe he may have created primitive oxygen generation through heating saltpeter (potassium nitrate), effectively creating the first closed-circuit breathing system. If true, this would put Drebbel centuries ahead of his time in understanding chemistry and respiration.
Earlier Attempts and Competing Claims
While Drebbel receives most historical recognition, other inventors had conceptualized submarine vessels earlier. Leonardo da Vinci sketched submarine designs in the late 15th century but never constructed them, fearing they would be used for warfare. William Bourne, an English mathematician, designed a submersible boat in 1578 but never built it.
By 2025, archaeological research may further clarify these historical contributions, potentially uncovering evidence of even earlier submarine concepts from ancient civilizations that understood basic principles of buoyancy.
The Evolution to Military Application
The leap from experimental curiosity to practical military tool came during the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, David Bushnell created the “Turtle,” the first submarine used in combat. This one-person vessel was designed to attach explosives to enemy ships, though it never successfully completed a mission.
The Human Element
What often gets overlooked in discussing submarine invention is the incredible courage of early submariners. Imagine volunteering to be sealed in a crude wooden or metal vessel, descending beneath the waves with rudimentary navigation and uncertain air supplies. These early pioneers risked everything in the name of innovation.
Today’s submarines, with their nuclear propulsion and ability to remain submerged for months, would be unrecognizable to Drebbel. Yet his fundamental breakthrough—creating a vessel that could navigate underwater while keeping its occupants alive—remains the essential achievement that launched centuries of submarine development.
