Changing Narratives in the History Oceanography

Abstract

The formal scientific study of the oceans only gained prominence in the late nineteenth century. The earliest accounts of the development of oceanography focused on notable scientists whose contributions laid the groundwork for later oceanographic exploration. In the second half of the twentieth century, ocean sciences expanded considerably as increased government funding and technological advancements enabled more extensive research and exploration. Subsequently, scholarship on the history of oceanography grew as well, exploring themes that included the overlap of ocean science and empire, the transformative impact of World War II and the Cold War on oceanographic funding and research, and the rise of international collaboration. As the historiography of the history of oceanography evolves, scholars have increasingly adopted interdisciplinary research methods to develop more comprehensive understanding of humanity’s evolving relationship with the ocean.