What type of garment did Leonardo da Vinci design for underwater exploration?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a diving suit for underwater exploration.

His concept appeared in the early 16th century among designs connected with military and naval engineering. The suit included a mask, breathing tubes, and other equipment intended to let a diver remain underwater. Leonardo’s notes indicate that the breathing arrangement was associated with a floating device on the surface.

The design is frequently linked with plans for underwater sabotage against enemy ships. Historians have also noted that Leonardo kept some military inventions secret, since public knowledge of such equipment could have reduced its strategic value. There is no reliable evidence that his complete diving system was built and used in combat.

Leonardo’s design should not be confused with a modern scuba suit. It lacked modern compressed-air cylinders and dependable underwater communication. Its importance lies in anticipating several principles of diving equipment rather than in being a fully practical modern diving system.