![Jacques Piccard presents the Mésoscaphe submarine to the public in the Giovanola Frères fabrication plant in Monthey, 26.8.1963.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/mesoscaphe-vorstellung-300x225.jpg)
The Auguste Piccard Mésoscaphe submarine
While there have been huge strides forward in exploring the universe, most of the underwater world is still a dark, closed book. The Piccard family has done significant pioneering work in exploring the bodies of water on our planet. The Mésoscaphe submarine descended into the depths of Lake Geneva and was deployed in the world’s oceans. This icon of engineering skill was one of the star attractions at the 1964 National Exhibition in Lausanne.
![Auguste (left) and Jacques Piccard pose in front of a model of the bathyscaphe diving sphere, May 1960.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/jacques-und-auguste-piccard-mai-1960-lm-1194191-211x300.jpg)
![Drawing of the Mésoscaphe while on a dive.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/zeichnung-des-mesoscaphes-auf-tauchgang-300x212.jpg)
![Jacques Piccard inspects the shell of the submersible, May 1963.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/jacques-piccard-begutachtet-den-rohbau-des-tauchboots-mai-1963-lm-1194514-300x202.jpg)
![Jacques Piccard in the cockpit of the Mésoscaphe, April 1964.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/jacques-piccard-im-cockpit-des-mesoscaphe-april-1964-lm-1194381-296x300.jpg)
Symbol of Expo 64
The Mésoscaphe was the big visitor drawcard at Expo 64. SRF
Adventure and treasure-hunting in America
![Oil painting by Samuel Scott (1702-1772), depicting the explosion of the San José.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/explosion-der-san-jose-300x210.jpg)
![The Mésoscaphe, marked by the effects of time and weather, in Galveston, Texas in 1983.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/das-von-zeit-und-witterungseinflussen-gezeichnete-mesoscaphe-1983-in-galveston-texas-300x200.jpg)