How a DIY camera captured the secret social lives of deep-sea sperm whales
In short: Engineer Eric Stackpole explains how he built a custom suction-cup camera to film sperm whales in the deep ocean. This footage provided a rare, intimate look at how these massive creatures communicate and swim together, proving that accessible technology can unlock profound discoveries about the natural world.
At TEDNext 2025, held on November 11, 2025, Eric Stackpole detailed the development of a scrappy, hand-built device designed to document whale behavior. By attaching this camera to the animals, his team captured footage of two sperm whales interacting in the deep ocean—a sight that had never been recorded before.
Stackpole argues that our understanding of the ocean is limited primarily by our own curiosity and the tools we choose to build. His work demonstrates that specialized, DIY engineering can provide significant insights into the lives of giants, encouraging a more hands-on approach to scientific exploration.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Whale’s-Eye-View of the Ocean | Eric Stackpole | TED
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-a-whale-s-eye-view-of-the-ocean-eric-stackpole.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
