If you guessed the inventor of the manned submarine, more or less, you really know your scientific history.
We're here to salute Narcís Monturiol, who lived from 1819 to 1885. Monturiol was interested in improving safety conditions for pearl divers, and used his talent for invention toward that goal. Along the way he solved the big problem of underwater navigation.
By the way, Monturiol debuted his work in a public park in Barcelona ... where the statue is located. His head was ahead of his wallet in the project, as he ran out of money and had to leave the inventing business in order to eat. Interestingly, it took until 1940 for someone to copy his idea for an anaerobic propulsion system for a sub. The Germans did it then as part of World War II research.
The subject is seen here holding the blueprints for his invention (maybe somewhere on the block?), while a submarine goes through an opening. I'm not sure I get this, but that's fine. It's the thought that counts.
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