Jean de Wouters
The Nikonos Story - Part 1
by John Neuschwander
Originally published Historical Diver Volume 10 Issue 1 Winter 2002 #30
These pages are the work of John Neuschwander, sadly John passed away Friday, May 6, 2005, at the age of 53. John was a well respected member of the international diving community. In this article he has recorded the most complete story of Jean de Wouters currently available and for that we will be eternally grateful.
Note: Contrary to popular belief, Jacques Yves Cousteau did not own La Spirotechnique. The company was founded in 1946 by the French industrial gas company Air Liquide, to manufacture and distribute the newly developed Cousteau Gagnan CG45 regulator. Also, contrary to popular belief, Cousteau did not invent the Calypso PHOT. The Calypso PHOT was invented by Jean Guy Marie Josef de Wouters d’Oplinter, this is his story.
