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Hannes KellerSwiss scientist, computer developer, oceanographer
Date of Birth: 20.09.1934
Country:  Switzerland |
Content:
Biography of Hans Keller
Early Life and Deep Diving ExperimentsHans Keller (Hannes Keller) was born in 1934 in Winterthur, Switzerland. He studied philosophy, mathematics, and theoretical physics at the University of Zurich. Alongside his academic pursuits, Keller developed a keen interest in deep diving. Challenging the popular belief about nitrogen narcosis, Keller, with the support of his mentor Professor Albert A. Bühlmann, created his own gas mixture and tested it in Lake Zurich. Surprisingly, Keller's gas mixture consisted of 5% oxygen and 95% nitrogen, a combination that was considered highly dangerous. Keller, however, remained calm and argued that it was not nitrogen but carbon dioxide that caused the symptoms of deep diving intoxication. His experiments in a hyperbaric chamber also proved successful, leading him to plan a record-setting dive to a depth of 1,000 feet off the coast of California.
Deep Diving Record and Tragic Incident
In 1962, accompanied by journalist and diver Peter Small, Keller set a new deep diving record, reaching a depth of 311 meters. However, the story took a tragic turn as Small perished during the mission, failing to complete it. Another casualty was rescue diver Chris Whittaker, whose body was never recovered. The deaths of these young individuals remain mysterious and unexplained. Keller reported a gas failure during the dive, but the exact reason behind the malfunction of the deep-water lift 'Atlantis' is still unknown. Later, the analysis of the "black boxes" revealed Keller's exclamation about someone "moving around at great speed." Nevertheless, Keller refused to comment on his words, attributing them to a state of oxygen deprivation-induced confusion. This incident marked the end of Keller's career as a deep-sea explorer.
IT Career and Current Endeavors
Following his deep diving experiences, Keller shifted his focus to the field of IT technology. He sold his own line of computers in 1970 and became a leading producer of IBM PCs in Switzerland in the 1980s. Keller also developed several software products, including Witchpen, Ways for Windows, and Wizardmaker. Currently, Keller works at Visipix, one of the largest museums of contemporary art and photography, which houses 1.3 million exhibits. He is known for creating his own paintings and has a passion for playing the piano, occasionally giving concerts and even releasing a couple of albums. In 2009, Keller joined the Historical Diving Society, an American organization for divers.
Overall, Hans Keller's life has been characterized by a diverse range of accomplishments and pursuits, from his groundbreaking deep diving experiments to his successful career in the IT industry and his contributions to the art and music world.
