Diving Helmet c. pre 1939

From Dr Maddy McAllister, Senior Curator Maritime Archaeology:
"Diving helmets these days are sleek and lightweight, full to the brim with modern technology, but can you imagine going underwater wearing this hefty copper diving helmet? Despite the challenges of a heavier design, these helmets were revolutionary. They allowed divers to work on ship hulls, salvage wrecks, and support fisheries operations at depths and durations that had been impossible with earlier methods.

This particular helmet was manufactured in China, by the Hai Tun Shui Zhuang Jui Company before WWII. This helmet was designed for use in Chinese fisheries, employing the standard dress diving helmet style designed by British company, Siebe Gorman. China still produces dive helmets similar to this one today, preserving the iconic look with a modern twist!

You might be wondering how anyone could safely wear such a heavy object on their head underwater? The Archimedes Principal – aka buoyancy – answers this one!"

This helmet is part of The Langley Diving Helmet Collection. This incredible collection was built over a 30-year period by former abalone diver Greg Langley of Hobart and was donated to Queensland Museum in November 2007 through the Commonwealth's Cultural Gifts Program, with further objects donated in June 2008.

You can also see more of The Langley Diving Helmet Collection on our Queensland Museum Online Collections.

This object is part of Queensland Museum's Maritime Collection. Donate now to take care of this treasure.