Introduction
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute grew out of an exploratory voyage, a meeting of minds, and a vision.
The exploratory voyage spanned a series of submersible dives
by biological
oceanographer Bruce Robison off the Central California coast. Captivating video images
from Robison’s dives inspired the concept of a deep-water research program in
Monterey Bay.
In 1986 David Packard, his wife, Lucile, and members of the board of directors of the Monterey Bay Aquarium convened a meeting of scientists from top-flight West Coast research institutions to discuss the feasibility of setting up a major research institute at Monterey Bay.
Packard recognized three areas of nascent technology that made his vision for a major ocean-research program particularly timely: remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), instrumentation for chemical analysis, and computer science and communications. All of these would become cornerstones in MBARI’s research agenda.
Packard insisted that scientists, engineers, and operations staff work together in close collaboration. This management goal—the dynamic and ever-challenging three-way marriage of science, engineering, and operations—remains one of MBARI’s chief distinguishing features.
The final critical ingredient in Packard’s vision for MBARI was the matter of funding; he provided for continued funding through the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
David Packard’s inspiration remains a guiding force at the institute. Though he is no longer physically present, the mission he espoused is very much intact.
Next: First Blueprint