a canvas diving suit, and boots — was developed in the 19th century and in wide use by the early 20th. The photograph below shows a well-worn standard diving suit in use in the 1920s and '30s.

And the suits that people created with late-18th century or 19th century technology are astonighing to behold. See for yourself! The first known diving helmet by Edmond Halley, late 17th century ...

46 Extremely Rare, Mind-Blowing Photos From The 19th And 18th Century That Show Just How Wildly Different Things Used To Be 5 ...

Pearls made up 75% of the Gulf's total exports at the end of the 19th century. Pearling was the ... Wearing an all-cotton, traditional diving suit, the diver jumps in feet-first.