PETER DYKSTRA, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT: There's a good argument that he is the most significant, most important explorer in the 20th century. Because Jacques Cousteau not only revealed the world under the seas to the human world, he invented the equipment to facilitate diving. He opened up a world for millions of recreational scuba divers. And he made it interesting. And he made the cold ocean, and all the creatures that live in it, cool. He was just a remarkable communicator, whether it was the charming French accent, the fact that somebody was down there discovering new things. It made for remarkable television and a remarkable learning experience. He really inspired million of people. Jacques Cousteau came here for an interview to CNN Center in 1997. He looked very old, very frail. While we were setting up for the interview, I asked him: With all you've done, do you feel that there's more out there? What else is there to explore? And he just brightened up and he had that twinkle in his eye and he said, "everything." And I literally saw this frail man, less than a year from death, lose 30 years in age. He still had that enthusiasm, and he was able to transmit that enthusiasm to millions of people through his television documentaries.
CNN 20: Jacques Cousteau Dies, June 25, 1997