Can you guess what year we’re describing? Boeing unveiled the iconic 747 jumbo-jet, Apollo 8 orbited the moon, the first bank ATM was introduced, the first vehicle airbag systems were developed, and the “911” national emergency telephone service was established. It is also the year that Jack W. Fisher began developing underwater search equipment, setting the stage for JW Fishers to become the most trusted name in underwater search equipment. What year was this? You guessed it; 1968!
The JW Fishers story began in the mid- 1960s when Jack, an avid diver, required an underwater metal detector for use on a salvage project. He discovered that there was no such device available, and over the next several years built his own; the Mark 1. Jack’s detector quickly gained popularity and, after marketing the product, customer demands for new and more powerful models developed quickly. As a result, the company expanded the product line from diver-held detectors to boat-towed metal detectors (Mark 7) and magnetometers (Proton 1).
In the early 1980’s, exploration of our oceans was reaching new heights and underwater video options became a necessity. The DV-1 dropped camera system was introduced to maintain industry leadership. In 1987, the award-winning Pulse 8X hand held underwater metal detector hit the open market with large success. It became the “workhorse” of the metal detector world and was rated #1 by U.S. Homeland Security in 2014. JW Fishers’ first ROV, the SeaOtter, was introduced in 1989. This 85-pound remote operated vehicle had four motors, a color camera, and a depth rating of 500 feet.
Over the next two decades, JW Fishers brand and technologies advanced rapidly. In 1994, the company moved from its original location, a facility hand-built by Jack and the original JWF team, to a newer and larger building more suited for the company’s expanding family and product line. In 1994, a larger ROV, the SeaLion, was introduced with a 1,000’ depth rating. This beast weighed-in at 125 pounds with six motors and a variable speed, reversible propulsion system. Ultimately, both ROVs received a redesign to become smaller and more powerful in the mid 2000’s. In 1993, JW Fishers’ first Side Scan Sonar system was introduced, allowing operators to “paint the bottom” of the ocean floor on thermal imaging paper. Acoustic pingers were also added as a way to mark the location of underwater sites and oceanographic instruments. Cable and pipe trackers followed suit in addition to scanning sonar systems and JW Fishers’ sub bottom profiler. The JWF brand was again expanded in 1999 when the first iteration of the www.jwfishers.com website was launched.
Recently, Fishers introduced the SAR-1 Search and Recovery metal detector; JW Fishers’ first wireless, “snareless” metal detector specially designed for use by public safety dive teams, law enforcement agencies, and military units that need to locate metal objects in poor water visibility. The SAR-1 alerts the operator to the presence of metal through vibration along with a high intensity LED display.
JW Fishers’ decades of innovative momentum has continued into 2018 with the debut of our newest boat towed detector; the Proton-5. This fifth-generation magnetometer boasts new backlit LCD screens, auto-tuning, and a modular design for easy storage.
Today, the Fisher family continues to operate JW Fishers as they pursue Jack’s vision of service as an industry leader and by offering the most complete line of underwater search equipment. The greater JWF family also remains strong with team members working with the company, on average, for over 20 years! This efficiency and expertise allows JWF to maintain an active research and development effort to explore new technologies. It also allows us to offer our customers the latest and most cost-effective equipment available. We stand behind every product with a warranty and service that is second to none.
Our products are in use by underwater archaeologists, treasure hunters, commercial diving companies, fire and rescue units, law enforcement agencies, engineering firms, scientists, and military units worldwide. The JW Fishers family is beyond excited to have spent the past 50 years supporting an incredibly diverse and exciting industry. We are also excited, without a doubt, to continue serving you and your team for the next 50 years and beyond!
JW Fishers will be celebrating the milestone year with a tribute on www.jwfishers.com. The 50th anniversary page will have various catalogs throughout the years, every news release starting from the very beginning, old pictures and an interactive timeline that shows the history of JW Fishers Manufacturing.
