In 1938 at age 10 Klein became interested in diving where he lived in Florida. Klein began making camera housings out of brass plates and silver, soldering them together. He designed and manufactured a series of underwater photo housings from 1948 through 1959. These included housings for Rolliflex, Bolex, Argus C-3, Leica and Stereo cameras. His interest in underwater photography naturally led to Klein designing, manufacturing and selling some of the most advanced camera housings of the time. These included housings for 35mm still cameras, and 8mm and 16mm movie cameras. He is credited to bringing underwater cinematography into national prominence for professional and amateur moviemakers alike.
His contribution to early large screen underwater cinema is legendary. Over the last 50 years, he was involved in some of the first underwater pictures and has worked on over 75 feature films. For the James Bond movie Thunderball (1966), Klein was Director of Underwater Engineering and cameraman. Klein was co-winner of an Academy Award for design and construction of underwater props, set and special effects for Thunderball.
In addition, Klein has directed and filmed news, documentaries, technical testing and/or promotional films for many organizations and special groups.
Klein and his firms are credited with many other innovations. In 1967, he was co-developer of the CryoLung, a liquid air breathing device. It sustained a man three to four times longer than conventional scuba gear.
Here is a sampling of the many movies Klein has worked on.
• Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
• 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)
• Sea Hunt (1954-1963)
• The Aquarians (1962)
• Flipper (1963)
• Thunderball (1966)
• You Only Live Twice (1967)
• Live and Let Die (1973)
• Never Say Never Again (1983)
• The Day of the Dolphin (1973)
• Chips (1980)
• Splash (1981)
• Jaws (1983)
• Cocoon (1985)
• Miami Vice (1985)
• The Abyss (1989)
• China Moon (1990)
• X-Files (1993)
• Bermuda Triangle (1995)
• SeaQuest (1999)