Millions of years ago: animals use sound for communication and object detection

1490: Leonardo Da Vinci uses a tube inserted into the water to detect vessels

19th century: An underwater bell is used in lighthouses to provide warning of hazards

1906: Lewis Nixon invents underwater listening device for detecting icebergs

1912: The Titanic sinks, sparks renewed interest in sonar technology

1915: British H class submarines were equipped with a Fessenden transducer (sonar)

1915: WWI. Paul Langevin works on active sound devices that influenced future design

Timeline