pˈɛɹəs hæd ɐ nˈætʃɚɹəl tˈælənt fɔːɹ ˌɛndʒɪnˈɪɹɪŋ dɪzˈaɪn, ænd hæd tʃˈælɪndʒd hɪmsˈɛlf tə kənstɹˈʌkt ɐn ɑːɹtˈɪkjʊlˌeɪɾᵻd ˌætməsfˈɛɹɪk dˈaɪvɪŋ sˈuːt ˌeɪdˌiːˈɛs ðæt wʊd kˈiːp dˈaɪvɚz dɹˈaɪ ænd æɾ ˌætməsfˈɛɹɪk pɹˈɛʃɚ, ˈiːvən æt ɡɹˈeɪt dˈɛpθ.
Peress had a natural talent for engineering design, and had challenged himself to construct an articulated atmospheric diving suit (ADS) that would keep divers dry and at atmospheric pressure, even at great depth.