Abstract
The article discusses relationships between the development of marine technology and scientific discoveries in the ocean. The invention and introduction of echo sounders as well as the use of seismic research methods made promote the greatest discovery of the XX century — the global lithospheric plate tectonic theory. The use of deep-towed vehicles made it possible to discover hydrothermal fields on the ocean floor and to discover a new source of life in the ocean — chemosynthesis. On the other hand, the discovery of hydrothermal fields stimulated the creation of manned submersibles with working depths of 6000 m or more. These discoveries radically changed our understanding of the Earth’s structure. They are the most striking examples of the close relationship between innovative technologies and scientific achievements.