The humble submersible Alvin has triumphed over sinking and swordfish, and taken ocean exploration to new depths.

Alvin, 1968
Alvin, 1968 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute


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The deep-sea exploration vehicle Alvin has had a fascinating and storied history. Since its launch in 1964, the three-person research vessel has made more than 4,000 dives to the seafloor, to depths of almost three miles. Alvin has discovered strange organisms, sampled the hydrothermal vents where the earth's crust splits open and even documented the wreckage of the Titanic. Here are some highlights from Alvin's many adventures. 

Click the gallery to check it out, and see an annotated look at Alvin's $40 million makeover here.

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June 2013: American Energy Independence

Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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