About the Book: This is the definitive work on the history and technology of breathing apparatus, written by the managing director of Siebe, Gorman & Co. Ltd., the legendary British firm that pioneered modern diving and respiratory equipment. The book provides a comprehensive study of the equipment developed to filter air and aid respiration in hostile environments.
The book is divided into several key sections:
A short history of gas and incendiary warfare from early times to the present day.
The physiology of respiration and the effects of breathing at high altitudes.
The evolution of breathing apparatus, from early prototypes to modern gas masks and other respiratory devices.
Accounts of mine rescue and recovery operations, showcasing the practical application of the technology.
The text is accompanied by numerous black and white illustrations and photographs showing the apparatus, their construction, and the men involved in their invention, design, and use.
A note on the author: Robert H. Davis (1870–1965) was a British inventor, industrialist, and managing director of Siebe, Gorman & Co. Ltd., the company synonymous with the development of the standard diving dress. He was the son of the company's founder and oversaw its growth into a global leader in diving and respiratory protection. Davis was also the author of the companion volume Deep Diving and Submarine Operations, making him a key authority on underwater and atmospheric technology.
Edition and Physical Description: This volume is a First Edition, published by The Saint Catherine Press in London in 1947. The book is bound in the publisher's original cloth boards, with blindstamped, gilt lettering on the front board. The text block contains xi, 386 pages, including graphs, equations, conversion tables, and a wealth of illustrations.
Most of the book was written in 1935, but the 1947 edition is known as the "first" because of a unique post-war publishing situation. Libraries and booksellers sometimes erroneously list 1947 copies as first editions because the author, Robert H. Davis, wrote the Preface in 1935. World events prevented an immediate 1935 publication and the book was not actually printed until 1947.
A genuine Piece Of UK Naval History
This copy presented to John H/W [---wick], Lieutenant R.N., HMS 'Reclaim' With Best Wishes, 1st Dec 48 [A.J.] Burrows" as best as I can decipher. which makes sense as Reclaim was commissioned in October of that year and instrumental in Royal Navt Deep Diving experiments etc at the time.
A very rare book (becoming increasingly rarer) covering breathing apparatus and history in relation to diving, aviation, fires, mines etc etc. Brown cloth over board with gilt embossed lettering to front and spine, good clean unmarked text block, personal inscription to