Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Voyage to Inner Space


















In 1680, physicist Giovanni Borelli attempts to recycle his own breathing air.

I assume that the date cited is the date of the print, as Borelli died in 1679 at the age of 71.

according to Wikipedia:

Borelli is also considered to be the first man to consider a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus along with his early submarine design. The exhaled gas was cooled by sea water after passing through copper tubing. The helmet was brass with a glass window and 0.6 m (2 ft) in diameter. The apparatus was never likely to be used or tested.

from the vast and fascinating NOAA Photo Library

via unpalombaro

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