That may be the point, seeing how "bicycle" kickers push back with soles of their feet.
Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Italy: Other manufacturers
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That may be the point, seeing how "bicycle" kickers push back with soles of their feet.
OP
David Wilson
Contributor
Thanks, Iowall, Akimbo, Angelo, Luis and Jale, for the likes.
We move on now to the Italian diving equipment manufacturer known as GSD. First the origin of the firm's name. "GSD" derives from the inital letters of the surnames of the three company founders: Gatti, Stradella and Danielle. The business opened in 1967 and closed in 1997.
The fish head in the company logo below connects the business with its spearfishing roots:
The catalogue photograph below shows the company headquarters:
The location was Avegno, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Genoa in the Italian region of Liguria, located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of Genoa. Here is a general view of Avegno:
GSD's fame within the diving community is probably mainly down to the publicity generated by Nick Nolte's use of a GSD Spinnaker regulator in the 1977 Hollywood movie The Deep, which also popularised the use of clear silicone-skirted masks thanks to co-star Jacqueline Bissett wearing one in the film:
This said, GSD lines in more basic underwater gear made their mark too when they were launched.
We move on now to the Italian diving equipment manufacturer known as GSD. First the origin of the firm's name. "GSD" derives from the inital letters of the surnames of the three company founders: Gatti, Stradella and Danielle. The business opened in 1967 and closed in 1997.
The fish head in the company logo below connects the business with its spearfishing roots:
The catalogue photograph below shows the company headquarters:
The location was Avegno, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Genoa in the Italian region of Liguria, located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of Genoa. Here is a general view of Avegno:
GSD's fame within the diving community is probably mainly down to the publicity generated by Nick Nolte's use of a GSD Spinnaker regulator in the 1977 Hollywood movie The Deep, which also popularised the use of clear silicone-skirted masks thanks to co-star Jacqueline Bissett wearing one in the film:
OP
David Wilson
Contributor
Let us begin with a GSD ad from 1968, a year after the GSD company startup:
The address indicates that the firm was based in Recco before the move to Avegno. Recco was another municipality in the Metropolitan City of Genoa in the Italian region of Liguria, view below.
The listed products include four mask models, the Samoa, the Smeralda, the Simbad and the Malibu, and one fin model, the Samoa. Today our focus is on the "Simbad" mask, which is said to be the first GSD mask, named after Sinbad the Sailor (below)
The Simbad series of GSD masks has been analysed in detail in Mondo Sommerso:
Rough translation:
For the "Simbad" series of masks we must do the same for the manufacturer as has already been done for the "Samoa" series: why create three different models, albeit from the same series, without giving them a name that would serve to distinguish them from each other. other? In order not to confuse the reader, we have "baptised" these masks with a definition.
Having said that we must begin the series of praises, because even this series of masks, like the previous one, is well researched, better made, and has an elegance of its own. However, we must immediately warn that as a type of mask it is not exactly the most suitable for the committed diver, the one, to be clear, who goes into the water wrapped in equipment, who would need, if he could have them, many more hands than he has. . It is difficult for this type of diver to have two fingers completely free to "compensate" at will: therefore it is logical that he prefers the Pinocchio type masks, that is with the profile of the nose completely external. The "Simbads" are instead of the type conventionally called "compensation": that is, they have the housing of the nose inside the mask, immediately behind the glass. To compensate, it is necessary to introduce the two fingers inside the two special housings, with a completely vertical movement from bottom to top; while with the Pinocchio types the fingers can be tightened with a much more practical oblique position. Despite this feature the "Simbads" tighten very easily, compared to those of the same type.
The construction system is the same as that adopted for the "Samoa": a tempered glass set in a hard plastic frame, which in turn is set, and tightened by a stainless steel ring, in the frame of the rubber part. The ring with automatic coupling has no roughness. The support on the face is softened by a thin rubber flange along the entire edge, except at the height of the nose housing. For details, we refer the reader to the issue of last January.
Where it deserves to dwell, as always when it comes to masks, is in the visual field; the only aspect on which the manufacturers have not yet focused their attention enough, and which is likely to bring great improvements to the masks. Let's look at the visual fields of these three models and compare them with the visual fields of the three masks examined in the previous episode. The first consideration is that the stereoscopic areas of these three models are much larger and above all much more regular than those of the models already examined. In making the comparison, however, one must be careful: the Pinocchio-type masks all have, in the central area, two small areas with monocular vision due to the shadow caused by the housing of the nose insinuated in the middle of the glass. This defect can be mitigated, but never eliminated; and it is a defect largely filled by the ease of the compensation maneuver. The comparison, therefore, must be made between masks of the same type.
Comparing the visual fields of the three models examined here, we note that the most regular and the widest horizontally is that of the oval "Simbad". The greater horizontal width is due to the rounded edges of the glass, while in the other two models it is linear. The oval model, however, has a lower vertical development than that of the other two models, and this is due to the fact that for aesthetic reasons the glass of the oval model has a vertical development less than seven millimeters than that of the other two masks. For regularity of the visual field, the "low-lobe" model follows, even if the two areas with monocular vision are curved a little too high. The ideal (and such a mask is very easy to make) would be an oval model with a glass having a vertical development greater than five millimeters, and a design of the upper part of the glass very similar to that of the "Simbad" "with high lobes".
The "Simbads" (like the "Samoa") are also sold with the two glass surfaces protected by a thin paper, which must be removed before using the mask. This is a useful precaution, adopted by GSD, to prevent the glass of the mask from being tarnished by the by-products of the rubber curing, which settle there during storage, or by the residues of the substances passed on the rubber after molding.
The address indicates that the firm was based in Recco before the move to Avegno. Recco was another municipality in the Metropolitan City of Genoa in the Italian region of Liguria, view below.
The listed products include four mask models, the Samoa, the Smeralda, the Simbad and the Malibu, and one fin model, the Samoa. Today our focus is on the "Simbad" mask, which is said to be the first GSD mask, named after Sinbad the Sailor (below)
For the "Simbad" series of masks we must do the same for the manufacturer as has already been done for the "Samoa" series: why create three different models, albeit from the same series, without giving them a name that would serve to distinguish them from each other. other? In order not to confuse the reader, we have "baptised" these masks with a definition.
Having said that we must begin the series of praises, because even this series of masks, like the previous one, is well researched, better made, and has an elegance of its own. However, we must immediately warn that as a type of mask it is not exactly the most suitable for the committed diver, the one, to be clear, who goes into the water wrapped in equipment, who would need, if he could have them, many more hands than he has. . It is difficult for this type of diver to have two fingers completely free to "compensate" at will: therefore it is logical that he prefers the Pinocchio type masks, that is with the profile of the nose completely external. The "Simbads" are instead of the type conventionally called "compensation": that is, they have the housing of the nose inside the mask, immediately behind the glass. To compensate, it is necessary to introduce the two fingers inside the two special housings, with a completely vertical movement from bottom to top; while with the Pinocchio types the fingers can be tightened with a much more practical oblique position. Despite this feature the "Simbads" tighten very easily, compared to those of the same type.
The construction system is the same as that adopted for the "Samoa": a tempered glass set in a hard plastic frame, which in turn is set, and tightened by a stainless steel ring, in the frame of the rubber part. The ring with automatic coupling has no roughness. The support on the face is softened by a thin rubber flange along the entire edge, except at the height of the nose housing. For details, we refer the reader to the issue of last January.
Where it deserves to dwell, as always when it comes to masks, is in the visual field; the only aspect on which the manufacturers have not yet focused their attention enough, and which is likely to bring great improvements to the masks. Let's look at the visual fields of these three models and compare them with the visual fields of the three masks examined in the previous episode. The first consideration is that the stereoscopic areas of these three models are much larger and above all much more regular than those of the models already examined. In making the comparison, however, one must be careful: the Pinocchio-type masks all have, in the central area, two small areas with monocular vision due to the shadow caused by the housing of the nose insinuated in the middle of the glass. This defect can be mitigated, but never eliminated; and it is a defect largely filled by the ease of the compensation maneuver. The comparison, therefore, must be made between masks of the same type.
Comparing the visual fields of the three models examined here, we note that the most regular and the widest horizontally is that of the oval "Simbad". The greater horizontal width is due to the rounded edges of the glass, while in the other two models it is linear. The oval model, however, has a lower vertical development than that of the other two models, and this is due to the fact that for aesthetic reasons the glass of the oval model has a vertical development less than seven millimeters than that of the other two masks. For regularity of the visual field, the "low-lobe" model follows, even if the two areas with monocular vision are curved a little too high. The ideal (and such a mask is very easy to make) would be an oval model with a glass having a vertical development greater than five millimeters, and a design of the upper part of the glass very similar to that of the "Simbad" "with high lobes".
The "Simbads" (like the "Samoa") are also sold with the two glass surfaces protected by a thin paper, which must be removed before using the mask. This is a useful precaution, adopted by GSD, to prevent the glass of the mask from being tarnished by the by-products of the rubber curing, which settle there during storage, or by the residues of the substances passed on the rubber after molding.
OP
David Wilson
Contributor
So the GSD Simbad was a compensator mask of the kind that came with two internal bosses located on either side of the nose and operated by finger wells on the outside. When the bosses were squeezed together and a sharp blast of air was exhaled from the nostrils, the Valsava manoeuvre could be completed to clear the ears and hence equalise pressure.
What I particularly admire about the Mondo sommerso review is the inclusion of mask metrics during the late 1960s when I have only seen this done in a Soviet diving manual and in a British Standard (below). As well as the colour and the price, for example, we learn about the inner volume (cubic centimetres), the weight (grammes), the distance between the eyes and the lens (millimetres), lens thickness (millimetres) and maximum dimensions (millimetres). This kind of information is more commonly available nowadays, but it is still far from universal.
1968 Soviet manual
1969 British Standard
Here is the Simbad mask in the 1972 catalogue of a British importer, Spartan:
I shall leave matters there for today, returning midweek with a review of the GSD Samoa mask. Thanks for reading this posting. In the meantime, keep safe and well.
What I particularly admire about the Mondo sommerso review is the inclusion of mask metrics during the late 1960s when I have only seen this done in a Soviet diving manual and in a British Standard (below). As well as the colour and the price, for example, we learn about the inner volume (cubic centimetres), the weight (grammes), the distance between the eyes and the lens (millimetres), lens thickness (millimetres) and maximum dimensions (millimetres). This kind of information is more commonly available nowadays, but it is still far from universal.
1968 Soviet manual
I shall leave matters there for today, returning midweek with a review of the GSD Samoa mask. Thanks for reading this posting. In the meantime, keep safe and well.
OP
David Wilson
Contributor
Thanks for the likes, everybody!
Our next GSD diving mask for review is the Samoa, named after the Polynesian island country located 64 kilometres west of American Samoa and 889 kilometres northeast of Tonga. Here is the mask, No. 1 in a 1968 advertisement for GSD underwater swimming equipment:
Italian: "1 Samoa: maschera professionale in 3 formati. Tempered Glass e Neoprene Rubber. Aderenza morbida e perfetta al viso e volume interno ridotto."
Rough translation: "1 Samoa: professional mask in 3 sizes. Tempered Glass and Neoprene Rubber. Soft and perfect fit for the face and low internal volume."
Italian: "Samoa, quanto basta per anticipare il futuro. Una gomma sempre nuova di qualità unica. Una linea dinamica che imprime maggiore velocità di qualunque altra pinna. Una panoramica a «lunga gittata» che nessun altra maschera ha. Ecco perchè sono iper la maschera e le pinne Samoa. L'ipermaschera è a «23 pollici» (vedi in mare come in un monitor). Le iperpinne hanno quello «spunto» in più (sono più dinamiche, più veloci, più resistenti). A Samoa non importa avere altro, ha già quanto basta per precorrere il futuro. SAMOA maschere: Sono caratterizzate da volume interno ridotto e visuale panoramica. Tempered glass e gomma morbidissima con sagoma anatomica del viso. Disponibili in 3 misure diverse. SAMOA pinne: Sona disponibili nei colori giallo e blu (tipo galleggiante), nero (non galleggiante), grigia (da competizione, non galleggiante)."
Rough translation: "Samoa: sufficiently future-proof. An ever-new, unique-quality rubber. A dynamic line delivering greater speed than any other fin. A "long-range" panoramic view no other mask has. This is why Samoa mask and fins are hyper. The hypermask is "23-inch" (vision in sea as in a monitor). Hyperfins have that extra "kick" (they come with greater dynamics, speed, strength). No matter what else Samoa may have, it is already sufficiently future-proof. SAMOA masks: They feature low internal volume and a panoramic view. Tempered-glass lens and very soft rubber skirt with anatomical shape for face. Available in 3 different sizes. SAMOA fins: Colours available: yellow and blue (floating type), black (non-floating), grey (competition, non-floating)."
So the diving mask in the GSD Samoa snorkelling set was designed for safety and comfort, thanks to its tempered-glass lens, its soft snug-fitting neoprene skirt and its availability in three different sizes. Low internal volume and broad visual fields also remain crucial criteria in modern mask design.
Our next GSD diving mask for review is the Samoa, named after the Polynesian island country located 64 kilometres west of American Samoa and 889 kilometres northeast of Tonga. Here is the mask, No. 1 in a 1968 advertisement for GSD underwater swimming equipment:
Rough translation: "1 Samoa: professional mask in 3 sizes. Tempered Glass and Neoprene Rubber. Soft and perfect fit for the face and low internal volume."
In 1969, the mask was paired with a full-foot model fin also called Samoa, creating the GSD Samoa line of "future-proof" basic diving gear: Rough translation: "Samoa: sufficiently future-proof. An ever-new, unique-quality rubber. A dynamic line delivering greater speed than any other fin. A "long-range" panoramic view no other mask has. This is why Samoa mask and fins are hyper. The hypermask is "23-inch" (vision in sea as in a monitor). Hyperfins have that extra "kick" (they come with greater dynamics, speed, strength). No matter what else Samoa may have, it is already sufficiently future-proof. SAMOA masks: They feature low internal volume and a panoramic view. Tempered-glass lens and very soft rubber skirt with anatomical shape for face. Available in 3 different sizes. SAMOA fins: Colours available: yellow and blue (floating type), black (non-floating), grey (competition, non-floating)."
So the diving mask in the GSD Samoa snorkelling set was designed for safety and comfort, thanks to its tempered-glass lens, its soft snug-fitting neoprene skirt and its availability in three different sizes. Low internal volume and broad visual fields also remain crucial criteria in modern mask design.
OP
David Wilson
Contributor
The GSD Samoa mask was also exported to other countries. For example, the medium and large models appeared in the 1972 catalogue of the British diving equipment importer and manufacturer Spartan:
The captions above reveal that the Samoa also featured a compensator and an optional drain valve.
OP
David Wilson
Contributor
We conclude today with some auction pictures of the GSD Samoa mask:
"Piccola" and "Junior" identify this Samoa as size Small. Note the presence of the internal compensation bosses and the absence of a drain valve.
That must suffice for today. At the weekend, we shall review the GSD Smeralda diving mask. Until then, stay safe and keep well.
That must suffice for today. At the weekend, we shall review the GSD Smeralda diving mask. Until then, stay safe and keep well.
The black Samoa fins were my first diving fins, during the OW course in 1975.
However my mask was not the Samoa, it was the n.5 on your catalague, called Malibu'.
Great to see this equipment here. At the time GSD was considered a top brand, with products of higher quality (and price) than the most common Cressi, Mares or Pirelli.
However my mask was not the Samoa, it was the n.5 on your catalague, called Malibu'.
Great to see this equipment here. At the time GSD was considered a top brand, with products of higher quality (and price) than the most common Cressi, Mares or Pirelli.
WeRtheOcean
Contributor
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I'll take a crack at the ad's headline, without the assistance of Google Translate. It reads,
"Con la linea sub G.S.D. è vostro il profondo mare azzurro"
I translate,
"With G.S.D.'s underwater line, the deep blue sea is yours."
How did I do, @Angelo Farina ?
"Con la linea sub G.S.D. è vostro il profondo mare azzurro"
I translate,
"With G.S.D.'s underwater line, the deep blue sea is yours."
How did I do, @Angelo Farina ?
It seems to be universal. In any endeavor, there is always that one clown who thinks they have "thought of a better way." Of course you can't tell them that their "better way" is something that was tried before and didn't work. People are not as innovative as they fancy themselves.
Almost perfect. But there is a subtle nuance. In Italian usually the verb follows the subject: placing it before the subject makes the original phrase a bit emphatic.
Your translation had been perfect if the original phrase was:
"Con la linea sub G.S.D. il profondo mare azzurro ė vostro".
Having instead the verb before the subject, I think that the correct translation could be:
"With G.S.D.'s underwater line yours is the deep blue sea."
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