Jacques Cousteau By: Eli Cook

The life of Jacques Cousteau Jacques was born June 11, 1910 in Saint-Andre-de-Cubzac, France. At the early age of four Jacques learned to swim; this was the beginning of his love for water. Jacques struggled in school. When he was 13 he was sent to boarding school in Alsace, France. He attended college in Paris at College Stanislas. In 1930 he entered the French Naval Academy, Ecole Navale, at Brest, France.

The life of Jacques cousteau After he graduated he joined the French Navy’s Information Service as a gunnery officer. In 1933 Jacques was in a car accident that nearly killed him. During rehabilitation he swam daily in the Mediterranean Sea. Phillipe Tailliez, a close friend, gave Jacques goggles to use; beginning his obsession with the water and understanding it. In 1937 he married Simone Melchior. The couple had two sons. His sons eventually joined him on his underwater expeditions.

The life of Jacques cousteau In 1990 Simone passed away. Jacques remarried in 1991. He married Francine Triplet. Jacques and Francine had a son and daughter. During WW2 Jacques and his family took refuge near the Swiss border.

The life of Jacques Cousteau He met French engineer Emile Gagnan in 1943, launching his many contributions to the ocean life. In 1996 Calypso sank in the Singapore Harbor after being rammed by a barge. June 25, 1997 Jacques suddenly passed away in Paris, France.

Important to ocean exploration 1943: Co-invented aqua lung-breathing device for scuba diving. Allowed divers to stay under water for long periods of time. 1945: Formed French Navy’s undersea research group 1950: Converted a minesweeper into an oceanographic research vessel; he named it Calypso. Used the vessel to make yearly trips to explore the ocean floor. His trips were recorded for the TV show, “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” Jacques was a key part of helping develop an underwater camera. He made 2 documentaries, “18 Meters Deep” and “Shipwrecks”. Discovered dolphins use sonar to navigate after researching in the Mediterranean Sea.

Important to Ocean exploration Teamed with Tailliez and expert divers, scientists to search the Mediterranean Sea for Roman shipwreck Mahdia. It was the first underwater archaeology operation. 1953: Published “The Silent World” which was later made into an award winning film. This success helped fund another expedition to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Between 1966 and 1985 Jacques had the first ever hour long TV special, began a TV series, and wrote several books including The Shark, Dolphins, and Cousteau: The Ocean World. 1973: Founded Cousteau Society to help raise awareness about the eco systems of the underwater world. Asked for stronger protection of oceans wildlife and habitat.

Fun Facts Jacques was a spy for the French during WW2. He was awarded several medals. Calypso eventually resurfaced and is now being reconstructed into a museum. He starred in 120 TV documentaries and wrote 50 books in his lifetime. Awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan. When he was 13 years old he built a battery operated car.

His Legacy Lives On Forever. French Naval officer, explorer, author, scientist, researcher, conservationist, filmmaker.