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Post by Nemo on Dec 15, 2014 10:46:29 GMT -8
linkYup. That fits. Here's a quote i found online: "In Florida, Paul Arnold opens "Aqua-Lung, Inc." and Jordan Klein opens "Underwater Sports" (originally named "Marineland") in 1951." "El Mysterioso" is a PST winebottle dated 1-54, but it doesn't say "Rene" or have the Broxton address. Instead, it's stamped AQUA LUNG INC. If you're right about Paul Arnold providing the SCUBA for Fisher's 24 hour dive, then it begins to look more and more like this is one of the rigs from that event; and apparently put into storage soon thereafter because it has no real wear or apparent use. Here's the website for that quote. It's about Hanauma Bay but they have a fairly detailed timeline of underwater technologies. Worth a look.
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Post by Nemo on Dec 15, 2014 10:47:00 GMT -8
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 15, 2014 13:38:12 GMT -8
Nemo,
Just a thought, but that "blood" on the tank and harness may not be human. It could be from spearfishing, which was done during the 24 hour dive, and was common during that era for larger fish. It may be relatively easy to test the blood stain on the tank to see whether it is human of fish, but don't do it on the harness.
Also, if you'll look at the newspaper article I linked to, there are a number of Jerry Greenberg photos shown (but not well), and I think the divers were wearing this harness. Be sure to add the ",3475990" to the copied link on the second page of this thread to get to the correct page of this newspaper.
John
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Post by Nemo on Dec 15, 2014 15:33:49 GMT -8
Nemo, Just a thought, but that "blood" on the tank and harness may not be human. It could be from spearfishing, which was done during the 24 hour dive, and was common during that era for larger fish. It may be relatively easy to test the blood stain on the tank to see whether it is human of fish, but don't do it on the harness. Also, if you'll look at the newspaper article I linked to, there are a number of Jerry Greenberg photos shown (but not well), and I think the divers were wearing this harness. Be sure to add the ",3475990" to the copied link on the second page of this thread to get to the correct page of this newspaper. John Yup. I checked it. the guys on the sled do seem to be wearing this kind of laced-up "corset" harness; and the guy driving the sled is Paul Arnold. I think we're getting close to the truth here.
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 15, 2014 23:38:44 GMT -8
Nemo, Look familiar? These images are from the book,Handbook for Skin Divers, by George Bronson-Howard. This photo is on page 44. There is no copyright notice in this book, and there is no year but I guess it to be about 1955. It is a very old book that I found being discarded by a Roseburg, Oregon library. Note that this photo is credited to Ed Fisher, or shows Ed Fisher--from Photo Representatives. I'm pretty sure that this was an aquarium photo, as the moray eel is trying to climb the glass. This photo from page 133 shows the harness with the waist strap being attached to the shoulder strap, and vice versa. That seems to make the harness somewhat uncomfortable. And without goggles or a mask, the model probably cannot even see the range finder on the housing. I'm pretty sure this photo was taken in one of the Florida springs, perhaps Silver Springs. This is the book these photos came from: John
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Post by Nemo on Dec 16, 2014 0:32:40 GMT -8
You're on a roll, John. Ricou Browning played the Creature from the Black Lagoon in the underwater scenes shot in Florida. Ginger Stanley was a stunt double for Julie Adams, doing the underwater scenes with Browning. Browning became very active as an underwater photographer and cinematographer afterwards. But again it all traces back to that group centered around Paul Arnold in Florida in the early 1950's. And again, this leads me to believe I was right about that other pic I saw that had me thinking this (type of)rig was used in the filming of CftBL.
I've been trying to figure out how in the heck the harness goes; those two pics will give me a reference.
Looking at the pic with the blonde: does that look like a DiveAir regulator to you? Do we see a vertical line on the front of the can; part of that "shape" they put into the front of DiveAir regulators, maybe?
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Post by Nemo on Dec 16, 2014 6:01:39 GMT -8
Last I heard, Jerry was alive and kicking. I interviewed him for an article in 2005, but have not been in touch since. Try this contact www.fishcards.com/. This is the company he and his wife published cards and books. He does not use email - at least not in 2005, and communicates by phone, fax, or letter. Old school. I visited their site and sent in an inquiry about the harness. fingers crossed......
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 16, 2014 7:59:59 GMT -8
The photo of Ricou Browning is definitely not a DiveAir, but is a USD regulator, probably a Broxton DA Aqualung. The aquarium shot could be a DiveAir though. I didn't realize that the two photos were connected, but here is another photo right next to the Ricou Browning photo in this book, Handbook for Skin Divers of Ginger Stanley. This was perhaps taken by Ricou Browning, and is definitely Silver Springs, Florida. John
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 16, 2014 10:26:16 GMT -8
Pat, concerning the blood: as I recall, air, salt and time are really great at killing pathogens. Most viruses don't do well without a host: is this thinking correct John, seeing as you're our resident expert on such matters Jaybird
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 16, 2014 10:56:01 GMT -8
Jaybird, I don't know...I'll look into it though, and report back. But I'll only need to research HBV, and not HIV. Human ImmunoVirus did not exist in the 1950s in the human population. Hepititus B is another story, and that's what I'll look at.
I have looked at a reference, and it does not tell me much about viability in dried blood of HBV over decades. However, since this virus cannot be "grown" in a laboratory, it is not likely that the virus can be viable after 60 years in dried blood. Transmission is human-to-human, with contact to actual blood or body fluids. In our emergency response teams, we recommend cleanup of blood using a 1:10 ratio of water to bleach, and with the tank and harness that would probably do the trick for decontamination.
I still think this blood stain may be fish blood, however.
John
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 16, 2014 12:17:25 GMT -8
"I still think this blood stain may be fish blood, however."As do I: it's just for pizza-mind, um-er-ah, I mean, peace of mind Jaybird
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Post by Nemo on Dec 16, 2014 14:58:46 GMT -8
Thanks guys. Problem is: I have no knowledge of how or when that blood got there, or how old it might or might not be. I treat all blood like a biohazard. The plan is to send a sample to Diagnostic Services and get it checked. I also sent the previous owner an email inquiry this morning trying to find out anything I can about the rig; who owned it, the blood, etc. But meanwhile I ain't touching that stuff on a bet; it's all going into a large plastic bag and stored in a controlled environment until at least January, probably.
Thanks for the pics, info, and interest. If I find out anything more I'll post it. And if anybody knows anything about this subject, please give us a shout.
This ain't over...
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Post by Nemo on Dec 16, 2014 15:04:49 GMT -8
Oh yeah, one nodda ting... I haven't unvalved it or sent it out for hydro or VIP; but based on what I've seen of the tank I am willing to bet it's gonna pass inspection and I didn't see any reason to keep the guy waiting for his money so I paid him for the tank last night. Heard back this morning; we're good. I'm still hoping I can find out a little more about it from him, but this person doesn't really seem to know anything about SCUBA. Maybe he knows some of the PEOPLE. Hopefully! Would really like to determine exactly what this thing is.
Mo' wen I kno'
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Post by Nemo on Dec 18, 2014 3:07:01 GMT -8
Last I heard, Jerry was alive and kicking. I interviewed him for an article in 2005, but have not been in touch since. Try this contact www.fishcards.com/. This is the company he and his wife published cards and books. He does not use email - at least not in 2005, and communicates by phone, fax, or letter. Old school. SIDM: Thanks for the vector! I was successful in getting in contact with the Greenberg's and here's what they said: "hello Pat and Lynn Regan, I enjoyed the vulcaniasubmarine website very much. I spoke to Jerry regarding your photo.. here is what he said: "DCA harness made by Paul Arnold.. aqualung incorporated across from Sears. Than they moved to 8th street and 8th Ave in Little Havana. That was the same kind of harness that Ed Fisher used in the 24 hour dive. They were cheaper to make (and buy) than the US Divers. It has the USdivers J valve on the tank." Michael G speaking now I grew up using double 70's and 80's most of my life. Best wishes.. Michael and Jerry Greenberg." So hey! Howsabout that, huh? We are definitely making some progress with this inquiry. I just want to say "Thank you" again for all the help everyone has given so far. I'd like to think we're doing a little vintage SCUBA archeology here and coming up with some good results. Cheers!!
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 18, 2014 11:27:17 GMT -8
Again, from John68: U.S. NAVY DIVAIR AND HARNESS CIRCA 1954Grrrr, I can see I'm gunna hafta make wanna these things for my Divair... Jaybird
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