Hydrophone

Inuit scientist in the field
Inuit scientist in the field

Hydrophone is an instrument used to listen to sounds transmitted through water. A hydrophone employs the principle of a microphone. It can be used, for example, to determine the position of a submarine by detecting the noise of its engines. Max Mason, a staff member of the Naval Experimental Station in New London, Connecticut, invented the hydrophone during World War I (1914-1918). See also Microphone .