Leonardo da Vinci designed a diving suit to protect a diver underwater.
In the early 16th century, Leonardo described equipment for underwater exploration and military operations. His design included a mask, breathing tubes, and a system intended to let a diver remain below the surface. The concept is usually discussed as an early diving suit or diving apparatus.
The proposed equipment was not modern scuba gear. Leonardo’s notes did not establish a practical compressed-air supply, and the exact operation of the design is debated. Some accounts also mention a bag for collecting air, while later illustrations and interpretations may combine details from different studies.
Leonardo was interested in underwater engineering partly because submerged divers could damage enemy ships. His work belongs to a long history of diving experiments that later produced diving bells, surface-supplied helmets, and self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. The key distinction is that his design was a suit-based concept, not a submarine.