Cornelis Jacobszoon van Drebbel is credited with the invention of the first submarine, although it was designed by William Bourne in 1578. He was also said to have invented an air purifying chemical to allow people to stay submerged for longer.
Corny’s submarine was just a boat with waterproof leather stretched over the top. The oars were put through tight leather flaps, and there was air tubes held up by floats. He successfully moved his craft around at a depth of four to five metres between 1620 to 1624 in the Thames river.
Cornelis made two larger submarines that were very similar to the original. King James I even had a ride in one to demonstrate its safety. But although he constructed it for the British Navy, they never thought of improving it and using it for battle.
Some Facts about Drebbel
- He was born in Alkmaar (Netherlands) in 1572 - He was the son of a well-off farmer
- He only had an elementary education (Latin, mostly)
- Apprenticed to a famous engraver Hendrick Goltzius in Haarlem
- He was interested in chemical ideas and processes
- Drebbel married Sophia Jansdochter, Hendrick Goltzius’ younger sister in 1595
- In 1598 he was granted a patent for a pump and a clock with perpetual motion
- In 1602 he was granted a patent for a chimney (patent- A document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention)
- He designed a water-supply system for the town of Alkmaar - He entered the service of Prince Henry of Wales in 1604 as a mechanic that specialised in fireworks.
- He was given the title of Chief Alchemist by Emperor Rudolf II in Prague.
- He instructed the son of Archduke Ferdinand of Bohemia before the Archduke became the Holy Roman Emperor.
- Drebbel was captured at the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War, but was released to return to England in 1613
- He was employed by the British Navy to make microscopes, submarines and explosive devices.
- From 1629 to his death in 1633, he earned his living by keeping an alehouse.
- He has a crater named after him. The Drebbel Lunar Crater
The Drebbel Submarine
Cornelis Jacobszoon van Drebbel is credited with the invention of the first submarine, although it was designed by William Bourne in 1578. He was also said to have invented an air purifying chemical to allow people to stay submerged for longer.
Corny’s submarine was just a boat with waterproof leather stretched over the top. The oars were put through tight leather flaps, and there was air tubes held up by floats. He successfully moved his craft around at a depth of four to five metres between 1620 to 1624 in the Thames river.
Cornelis made two larger submarines that were very similar to the original. King James I even had a ride in one to demonstrate its safety. But although he constructed it for the British Navy, they never thought of improving it and using it for battle.
Some Facts about Drebbel
- He was born in Alkmaar (Netherlands) in 1572
- He was the son of a well-off farmer
- He only had an elementary education (Latin, mostly)
- Apprenticed to a famous engraver Hendrick Goltzius in Haarlem
- He was interested in chemical ideas and processes
- Drebbel married Sophia Jansdochter, Hendrick Goltzius’ younger sister in 1595
- In 1598 he was granted a patent for a pump and a clock with perpetual motion
- In 1602 he was granted a patent for a chimney (patent- A document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention)
- He designed a water-supply system for the town of Alkmaar
- He entered the service of Prince Henry of Wales in 1604 as a mechanic that specialised in fireworks.
- He was given the title of Chief Alchemist by Emperor Rudolf II in Prague.
- He instructed the son of Archduke Ferdinand of Bohemia before the Archduke became the Holy Roman Emperor.
- Drebbel was captured at the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War, but was released to return to England in 1613
- He was employed by the British Navy to make microscopes, submarines and explosive devices.
- From 1629 to his death in 1633, he earned his living by keeping an alehouse.
- He has a crater named after him. The Drebbel Lunar Crater