German-born British engineer mostly known for his contributions to diving equipment
Christian Augustus Siebe
Bust of Siebe, in the Science Museum's Blythe House store. It bears the inscription "A Siebe CE".
Born
1788
Saxony, Germany
Died
15 April 1872(1872-04-15) (aged 83–84)
At home (5, Denmark Street)
Resting place
West Norwood Cemetery
Nationality
British (from 1856)
Organization
Siebe Gorman
Known for
Innovations in diving apparatus
Awards
Christian Augustus Siebe (known by his middle name; 1788 – 15 April 1872) was a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment.[1]
In the 1830s the Deane brothers asked Siebe to make a variation of their smoke helmet design for underwater use.[1] Later they turned to him to produce more helmets for diving operations. Expanding on improvements already made by another engineer, George Edwards, Siebe produced his own design; a helmet fitted to a full length watertight canvasdiving suit. The real success of the equipment was a valve in the helmet.
Colonel Charles Pasley, leader of the Royal Navy team that used Siebe's suit on the wreck of HMS Royal George suggested the helmet should be detachable from the corset, giving rise to the typical standard diving dress which revolutionised underwatercivil engineering, underwater salvage, commercial diving and naval diving.[1]
The company that carried his name Siebe Gorman Ltd was founded by him and his son-in-law, Gorman.[1]
He is commemorated by a blue plaque on his former home in Denmark Street, London.[2]
Other inventions[]
Besides his contributions to diving he also invented:
a rotating water pumppatented in 1828,
A paper making machine,
a Dial weighing scale,
an ice-making machine.
Siebe won many medals at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and the Paris Exhibition in 1855.
He died 15 April 1872 of chronic bronchitis, at his London home.[1] He was buried at the West Norwood Cemetery.