Life Magazines

[Akimbo]

Not a review, but this may be interesting for divers wanting to expand their library collection. We were visiting the Oregon Coast last week and happened on a the Cannon Beach Treasure Company. After an interesting conversation with the owner, Robert Knecht, he mentioned there was an old Life Magazine on the first dive on the Andrea Doria in an antique shop south of town. Sure enough, the September 17, 1956 issue was there for $5. For some reason I never thought to hunt for these bits of diving history.

This was a time before many Americans knew much about the new sport of “Skin Diving” and related it more the WWII Frogmen — members of the Underwater Demolition Teams that preceded the US Navy SEALs.



This reminded me of another Life Magazine issue that others might be interested in that features Kirby Morgan diving helmets on a fold-out front cover. The article touched on a lot of developments of the era. Life Magazine, October 4, 1968 - Machine to probe the sea



Can anyone suggest other magazine issues that might be interesting for a diver to collect?

I have some National Geographic Magazines that a diver might want for their collection that I could look up the issues/dates.

 

[Sam Miller III]

SEE POST BELOW

 

[Sam Miller III]

"... an old Life Magazine on the first dive on the Andrea Doria in an antique shop south of town. Sure enough, the September 17, 1956 issue was there for $5. For some reason I never thought to hunt for these bits of diving history.

This was a time before many Americans knew much about the new sport of “Skin Diving” and related it more the WWII Frogmen — members of the Underwater Demolition Teams that preceded the US Navy SEALs."

>>>By 1956;
* Hans Hass had made and distributed Under the Red Sea
* Dugan wrote about Cousteau Divers
* LA Co UW Instructors association established
* Cousteau wrote Silent World
* Cousteau produced Silent World
* PS DIY Article
* SDM established
* Wet suit invented
* Manufactures
Rene Sports (US Divers) Sea Net, Voit, Healthways, etc
So there was a cadre of diving activity, but certainly not as many as today

The divers on the AD were from west coast, Ramsey Parks, Bob Dill, Bev Morgan (?) and Peter Gimbel from NYC etal..all but Bev are on the big reef in the sky

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"This reminded me of another Life Magazine issue that others might be interested in that features Kirby Morgan diving helmets on a fold-out front cover. The article touched on a lot of developments of the era. Life Magazine, October 4, 1968 - Machine to probe the sea"

>>> The diver on thefront cover is Skip Dunham at that time VP of KM. He is now a Manufactures rep for ??? in California--I have an inscribed copy

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"Can anyone suggest other magazine issues that might be interesting for a diver to collect?"

>> There are so many --too numerous to list
>>I prefer normal size magazine, the oversize Lifes are too space consuming,and are easy to damage

"I have some National Geographic Magazines that a diver might want for their collection that I could look up the issues/dates."

>>> Once again there are numerous Nat Geos, beginning with the pioneering UW photography of Longley & Martin in the 1920s, or the Bottom Scratcher issue in the 1940s... soon after the NatGeo becomes rather prolific in publishing diving related articles.

if interested It is suggested that you aquire a Nat Geo INDEX which is a compilation of all issues..They are some what difficult to find and some what expensive but very time saving.

There is also the CD of all issues of Nat Geo which was issued a few years ago.

Good thought provoking post...

SDM

 

[Akimbo]

…This was a time before many Americans knew much about the new sport of “Skin Diving” and related it more the WWII Frogmen….

…
>>>By 1956;
* Hans Hass had made and distributed Under the Red Sea
* Dugan wrote about Cousteau Divers
* LA Co UW Instructors association established
* Cousteau wrote Silent World
* Cousteau produced Silent World
* PS DIY Article
* SDM established
* Wet suit invented
* Manufactures
Rene Sports (US Divers) Sea Net, Voit, Healthways, etc
So there was a cadre of diving activity, but certainly not as many as today…

My comment was prompted by the article, though the tone was probably heavily influenced by Life’s copy editors. Of course you are technically correct; but Haas and Cousteau weren’t exactly household names across America in those days. Everyone in the US seemed to know the Navy “Frogmen” and Mike Nelson by the end of the 50s, but the majority drew a blank when the UDT or SCUBA was mentioned.

I was too young when the Doria sank, but “diver” meant Copper Helmets to most people until around the early 60s. I remember explaining the difference to my Second Grade teacher… who was a total knockout BTW.