Jacques Cousteau
1910–1997 · French (Saint-André-de-Cubzac) · Modern Era
Known for: Co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung, underwater filmmaker, and the most famous oceanographer in history—made the world fall in love with the ocean
Cousteau was a French naval officer who co-developed the first practical scuba system with Émile Gagnan in 1943, making the underwater world accessible to humans. He produced the documentary The Silent World (which won both an Academy Award and the Palme d'Or), the TV series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, and over 120 films.
He was charismatic and media-savvy—his red cap and his ship Calypso became icons. He became an environmentalist warning about ocean pollution and overfishing. His personal life was complex: he maintained a secret second family for decades.
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