DESCO

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DESCO is an underwater diving equipment maker which was first organized in 1937 in Wisconsin in the USA as Diving Equipment and Salvage Co.

It was founded by:-

  • Max Gene Nohl, a diver who lived in Milwaukee. In the early 1930's he had national publicity for his salvage operations on a sunken steamship, the "John Dwight".
  • Col. John D. Craig, a Hollywood movie producer, a pioneer in underwater photography, who wanted to film the possible salvage of the RMS Lusitania.
  • Jack Browne, a diver.
  • Edgar End, M.D., a pioneer in hyperbaric medicine.

Browne and Nohl designed a lightweight heliox diving suit.

On December 1, 1937 in Lake Michigan, Max Nohl dived to 420 feet with DESCO equipment, breaking the previous record of 344 feet set by British divers in 1930.

In World War II DESCO made hardhat diving gear and oxygen rebreathers for the US Navy. DESCO continues in business in Milwaukee, WI. They produce 14 models of diving helmets, and related diving gear, and are representatives for Hunter Drysuits, Composite Beat Engel DeepSea helmets, and Broco Welding.

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