Leonardo da Vinci designed a diving suit for underwater exploration.
His drawings show a diver wearing a sealed suit connected to the surface by breathing tubes. The concept was associated with underwater work, including possible military operations against ships. A mask, breathing apparatus, and buoyancy-related equipment were incorporated into the design.
Leonardo’s idea belongs to a long history of attempts to let people remain underwater. It was not the same as a diving bell, which encloses air in a rigid chamber, or a modern scuba system, which carries compressed gas in tanks.
No evidence shows that Leonardo’s complete suit was tested successfully. The design is important because it demonstrates his understanding that underwater breathing required both an airtight garment and a controlled air supply.