Leonardo da Vinci’s underwater exploration invention was a diving suit.
Leonardo designed a diving suit in the early sixteenth century, probably in connection with military ideas for underwater operations. The concept included a waterproof leather suit, a mask, and tubes leading to the surface. The tubes were intended to supply air while the diver remained underwater.
The design is often associated with Venice, whose waterways and naval defenses may have inspired Leonardo’s interest in underwater activity. His notebooks also describe a system for collecting urine, reflecting his attempt to think through the practical problems of spending time inside a sealed suit.
Leonardo’s diving suit was never documented as a successful operational device. The breathing tubes would have been difficult to use safely, especially in moving water, and the materials and air-management methods were limited. It should not be confused with modern scuba equipment, which uses compressed gas carried by the diver.