René Théophile Nuytten

René Théophile "Phil" Nuytten (13 August 194113 May 2023) was a Canadian entrepreneur, deep-ocean explorer, scientist, inventor of the Newtsuit, and founder of Nuytco Research Ltd.

He pioneered designs related to diving equipment,

Career

Nuytten worked in numerous countries as a commercial diver. In his work for the commercial, scientific, and military industries, he developed equipment and deep-water diving, and technical diving techniques.

Totem poles Nyutten was trained to carve totem poles by Kwakwakaʼwakw carver Ellen Neel. In 1982, he published The Totem Carvers, a book about carvers Mungo Martin, Ellen Neel, and Charlie James.

Death

Nuytten died the 13 May 2023 aged 81, his family releasing an obituary detailing the significance of his life and contributions to the scientific field.

Media appearances

Print

Resulting from his contributions to marine diving technologies, Nuytten appeared in the media numerous times, including: National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, Popular Science, Discovery, Fortune, Scientific American and Business Week. This patented breakthrough design is now used in many subsequent atmospheric diving suits. This new design was being considered for use as a submarine escape device by the Canadian Department of Defense. A prototype was to be built as early as 2019, with cylindrical living chambers powered from Stirling engines powered by hydrothermal vent sources. The buildings would be built on land and transported likely to the Juan de Fuca Strait, and submerged a few thousand feet below the surface.

Awards and commendations

Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (Hall of Fame membership)