Sharing the Silent World
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With the capability to film underwater and share undersea encounters with his audience, Cousteau transformed the popular view of the ocean.
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...who—least of all the professional oceanographer, who probably first encountered the undersea world in Cousteau-designed scuba gear—can doubt his enormous impact in bringing people to an awareness of the ocean's importance. |
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With his new inventions, Cousteau could share his discoveries and love of the sea with the public. He first presented the ocean to the world in his book The Silent World (1953). Cousteau became a prominent figure with the release of an underwater film of the same name, The Silent World (1956).
By 1960 Cousteau was a household name in the United States in an era that was as excited about exploring the sea as it was about venturing toward the stars. Cousteau was so popular his portrait was put on the cover of Time Magazine. His work and expeditions were featured four times on the cover of National Geographic.
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The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau: Octopus, Octopus, 1971
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Over the course of his career, Cousteau made over 100 films. One of Cousteau's most influential works was the television series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, which broadcasted Cousteau's underwater encounters and adventures across the world from 1968 to 1976. This series shaped how the public viewed the oceans, exchanging the popular view of the oceans as a mysterious and sinister place filled with monsters, for one of a vibrant world filled with diverse marine life.
Cousteau almost single-handedly changed public opinion when he portrayed the giant Pacific octopus as a gentle colossus that fought only when unavoidably cornered with nowhere to hide. |
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The encounters documented in Cousteau's films highlighted the whimsical and welcoming side of the ocean, captivating audiences across the world.
I never missed Jacques Cousteau's television series. It was on when I was in high school, and the first couple years of college, and I saw every episode many, many times. |
The Silent World (Huron Scuba), 1956
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Opposition
To Cousteau, fishing perverted, Tom McNally, The Chicago Tribune, 1978
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Enthusiasm for Cousteau was not shared by everyone. Cousteau attempted to emphasize the importance of ocean conservation through his films, but could not change the viewpoint of communities that relied on using the ocean for commercial gain.
That Cousteau could come out against sport fishing is incredible. Unfortunately, we are experiencing an environmental backlash in this country, and much of that is due to radical stands taken by ecofreak organizations…. What does Cousteau know about it? |
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Regardless of dissent, the combination of new technology and visionary spectacle enabled scientific research and brought viewers beneath the waves as never before.
Without the Aqua-Lung, underwater archaeological expeditions reported in this magazine would have been impossible. |
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