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There was a question posted by "reefhound" on 21 December 2007
"...hate to imagine what it's going to be like in 20 years from now...."
No one can predict the future, but I can recall the past for you by
"Who's who in SCUBA Diving"
In the early 1990s Mr. Harry Backstein, a well known Arizona diver and attorney established the "Academy of Marine science and underwater research" as a non profit organization.
One of the first and soon to be all encompassing activities of the organization was to record just who was who in SCUBA diving in the US. In 1993 to correspond with the Golden Anniversary (50 years) of Scuba diving (1943-1993) "Who's who in scuba diving" was published by Best Publishing Company as a paper back news print book of 435 pages, LCC # 91-75238, ISBN #0-9441332-28-4. It proved to be such a popular book that it immediately became a best seller and is now a collector's book. However on occasion a copy appears on E bay or in one of the used book markets but be prepared to shell out some serious cash for a copy.
The book was and is a treasure trove of information. Separated in to nine sections of information such as Individuals, Agencies, Manufactures, Publishers, Resorts, Travel agencies, Retail dive stores, Commercial diving Companies, and Diving awards.
The main interest of a group such as this was a listing of resumes of personal and a brief single sentence achievements and contributions to the underwater world. As one would imagine the majority of those listed were the first and second generation divers and were from California the birthplace and fountainhead of recreational diving.
After all these good years the ranks of the original list has thinned do to age, retirement, other interests and departures to the big reef in the sky, however, there were around 20 in attendance at the last DEMA. (Net Doc, you met at least two at DEMA; The youngest in "Whos who" and one of the veterans who contributions during the first 25 years consumed almost and entire page.)
Who will be listed in another 25 yeas in 2018 the Diamond Jubilee (75 year) anniversary of recreational diving? It would be impossible for the current crop of divers to contribute as much as the pioneers since so much has already been accomplished, but there is still much to be accomplished and some that has already begun.
I would not imagine that members who have posted inordinate amounts of posts on every board on every subject known to man or beast would qualify as one deserving a position in "Who's Who." However Pete Murray who established this board has firmly established his place in history and is one who deserves be to be honored
John Chatterton and Richie Kohler the current Bobsey twins of diving, were absent from the original list certainly have earned several paragraphs or even a page or two of accomplishments and contributions.
And of course there will be a few repeats to the 2018 list. In 1993, Sheck Exley had published only one book and had just began his cave exploration therefore warranted only six lines of print Dr. Bob Ballard had a complete page of accomplishments and discoveries and last reports is still active. Captain Steve Belinda occupied a half of a page mostly about the Andrea Doria, he is still around. Lorraine Bemis Sadler, who is "Miss Catalina Chamber" also had a quarter page and is young enough to be featured again. Billy Deans resume occupied a quarter page but has since departed diving and migrated into health care. Son Dr.Sam IV, the youngest featured on the original list recently completed medical school and is a Hyperbaric Doctor at U of California medical center in San Diego and will also be a two time listee.
So how about it?
I have listed several possible repeat listings and at least three who will certainly be enshrined as major contributors to diving It is time to develop a list of those diving personages who will lead us into the first quarter of this century.
How about submitting the name, address, accomplishments in diving of those whom you deem worthy of recognition. Don't be bashful- with this list you can nominate your friends, acquaintances or your self....
sdm
"...hate to imagine what it's going to be like in 20 years from now...."
No one can predict the future, but I can recall the past for you by
"Who's who in SCUBA Diving"
In the early 1990s Mr. Harry Backstein, a well known Arizona diver and attorney established the "Academy of Marine science and underwater research" as a non profit organization.
One of the first and soon to be all encompassing activities of the organization was to record just who was who in SCUBA diving in the US. In 1993 to correspond with the Golden Anniversary (50 years) of Scuba diving (1943-1993) "Who's who in scuba diving" was published by Best Publishing Company as a paper back news print book of 435 pages, LCC # 91-75238, ISBN #0-9441332-28-4. It proved to be such a popular book that it immediately became a best seller and is now a collector's book. However on occasion a copy appears on E bay or in one of the used book markets but be prepared to shell out some serious cash for a copy.
The book was and is a treasure trove of information. Separated in to nine sections of information such as Individuals, Agencies, Manufactures, Publishers, Resorts, Travel agencies, Retail dive stores, Commercial diving Companies, and Diving awards.
The main interest of a group such as this was a listing of resumes of personal and a brief single sentence achievements and contributions to the underwater world. As one would imagine the majority of those listed were the first and second generation divers and were from California the birthplace and fountainhead of recreational diving.
After all these good years the ranks of the original list has thinned do to age, retirement, other interests and departures to the big reef in the sky, however, there were around 20 in attendance at the last DEMA. (Net Doc, you met at least two at DEMA; The youngest in "Whos who" and one of the veterans who contributions during the first 25 years consumed almost and entire page.)
Who will be listed in another 25 yeas in 2018 the Diamond Jubilee (75 year) anniversary of recreational diving? It would be impossible for the current crop of divers to contribute as much as the pioneers since so much has already been accomplished, but there is still much to be accomplished and some that has already begun.
I would not imagine that members who have posted inordinate amounts of posts on every board on every subject known to man or beast would qualify as one deserving a position in "Who's Who." However Pete Murray who established this board has firmly established his place in history and is one who deserves be to be honored
John Chatterton and Richie Kohler the current Bobsey twins of diving, were absent from the original list certainly have earned several paragraphs or even a page or two of accomplishments and contributions.
And of course there will be a few repeats to the 2018 list. In 1993, Sheck Exley had published only one book and had just began his cave exploration therefore warranted only six lines of print Dr. Bob Ballard had a complete page of accomplishments and discoveries and last reports is still active. Captain Steve Belinda occupied a half of a page mostly about the Andrea Doria, he is still around. Lorraine Bemis Sadler, who is "Miss Catalina Chamber" also had a quarter page and is young enough to be featured again. Billy Deans resume occupied a quarter page but has since departed diving and migrated into health care. Son Dr.Sam IV, the youngest featured on the original list recently completed medical school and is a Hyperbaric Doctor at U of California medical center in San Diego and will also be a two time listee.
So how about it?
I have listed several possible repeat listings and at least three who will certainly be enshrined as major contributors to diving It is time to develop a list of those diving personages who will lead us into the first quarter of this century.
How about submitting the name, address, accomplishments in diving of those whom you deem worthy of recognition. Don't be bashful- with this list you can nominate your friends, acquaintances or your self....
sdm
