Posted on 01/21/2013 6:12:10 PM PST by DogByte6RER
1911: Chester E. McDuffee’s patented diving suit
The suit of Chester E. Macduffee is a fantastic suit to see. Although Macduffee patented 4 inventions and pictures of the actual diving suit are still available it is very strange nothing could be found about the inventor.
In the book from Hermann Stelzner there are some references to Macduffee.
The name of the inventor is often written in different ways. Stelzner calls him Macduff. He is also called McDuffie – MacDuffie – MacDuffy – Macduffie but the true name of the man was Macduffee.
Stelzner wrote:
Macduffs ADS was tested in 1915 in Long Island Sound. It was made like the “Hanseatische”from aluminum alloy and weighted about 250 kilo. The cylindrical joints mounted on ball bearings allowed movement in one direction only. They do not appear to be watertight due to the fact Macduffee implemented a waterpump in the suit. This pump was able to pump water from the leg section into the sea. The pump operated on compressed air supplied from the surface. The used air from the pump then expanded into the suit and was used by the diver for breathing. ( Robert H. Davis Stated the pump was driven by electricity) The suit was equipped with a 12 section-gripper mounted on one arm and a electric light on the other arm. Also a hook is seen on a picture. Macduffee’s suit reached 65 meters of waterdepth in 1915!
Gary L. Harris wrote in his book Iron Suit:
Credit for constructing the first suit to utilize ball bearings as the medium to provide movement to a joint and also to act as the load-bearing surface must go to a Mr. Mac Duffie, who tested his formidable-looking A.D.S. to a depth of 214 feet in Long Island Sound, New York. MacDuffie’s suit resembles a science fiction robot more than an A.D.S.
Thats the kinda diving I like. Trouble is they all look green down around 100 feet.
Oh yeah... And obviously vampire proof.
that’s why the seat area is so roomy.
102 feet, thats the deepest I’ve been and the deepest I want to go. I’m glad those guys did things to learn but I’d watch safely from the boat.
That is so incredibly cool...wow!
Thanks much for that pic :)
Steam Punk Ping
For lady divers
That’s the Robot from “Forbiden Planet.” The Lost in Space Robot was already posted at #12.
What happens when they set you down on the bottom and that hook thingy comes loose?
“Why the nipples”
Someone could ask you gents the same thing.
I wouldn’t, but SOMEONE could.
Oops. :-)
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