Jacques Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau was a French explorer and filmmaker. He was born in Saint-Andre-de-Cubzac, France, in 1910. He explored the oceans and made famous films and TV shows about sea life. He helped invent scuba diving equipment.

Early Life

Cousteau loved the water from a young age. He joined the French Navy as a young man. A car accident ended his dream of becoming a pilot. He turned to the sea instead and began exploring underwater.

Jacques Cousteau with his diving team in 1948.
Jacques Cousteau with his diving team in 1948. (Dgho / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Cousteau co-invented the Aqua-Lung, which lets divers breathe underwater. He explored the oceans on his ship Calypso. His TV show The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau was watched by millions. He worked hard to protect the oceans from pollution.

Fun Facts

  • Cousteau's ship Calypso was a former minesweeper from World War II.
  • He won two Academy Awards for his underwater films.
  • He explored the ocean for over 50 years.

Did You Know?

Cousteau helped stop plans to dump nuclear waste in the ocean. He collected over 400,000 signatures to protect Antarctica from mining. His work helped people care about saving the seas.