Trivia

Having enrolled in the French Navy's aviation school, he was about to take his pilot's exam, when he crashed his father's car on a foggy mountain road. He broke both of his arms, one becoming infected. The accident possibly saved his life, since all but one of his fellow aviation classmates were later killed in action during World War II.

Inventor of the modern aqua-lung.

His ship, the 'Calypso', was a 66 foot-long converted minesweeper. It served as his flagship until 1996, when it was hit by a barge in Singapore harbour and sank.

Retired from the French Navy with the rank of captain in 1956. That same year, he was appointed head of Monaco's Oceanographic Institute.

Lost his younger son, Philippe, in a seaplane crash in 1979.

Pioneer in the field of underwater filming.

The John Denver song "Calypso" is about him. It is named for Jacques' boat.

Was a member of the French Resistance in World War II.

His book, "The Silent World", sold over five million copies in 22 languages.

Though he was frail and anemic as a child, he learned to swim at the age of four.

Did not hold any scientific degrees.

Wes Anderson's movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is strongly influenced by Cousteau. The title character, played by Bill Murray even wears blue shirt and red winter hat, signature of Cousteau's.

Father of Jean-Michel Cousteau and Philippe Cousteau.

Described himself as an "oceanographic technician".

Father of Diane Cousteau.

Member of the Academie Francaise and the National Academy of Sciences in America.

During World War II, he was posted to the naval base at Toulon as an artillery instructor. He later joined the French resistance and conducted espionage against Italian occupation forces.

The French Government awarded him the prestiguous Legion d'honneur.

Society of Operating Cameramen, (SOC) Recipient, Governors Award (1996).

He was awarded an Honorary A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) on January 26, 1990 for his services to the environment, conservation, and marine life in our oceans.

Grandfather of Alexandra Cousteau and Philippe Cousteau Jr..

Has his look-alike puppet in the French show Les Guignols de l'info (1988).

Mentioned in the song "Viagem Ao Fundo Do Ego" by Brazilian rock band Egotrip.