Why does a technology we think of as “modern” actually date back thousands of years?

In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, we explore why desalination is one of humanity’s oldest technologies, and how turning seawater into fresh water has shaped civilizations, public health, and the modern world.

This podcast episode features author and engineer Emilio Gabbrielli, whose book traces more than 7,000 years of desalination history. From ancient distillation methods to Renaissance-era designs by Leonardo da Vinci, to Cold War investments championed by John F. Kennedy, this conversation reveals that desalination is not a new invention, but a rediscovered survival technology.

In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, we connect ancient innovation with modern engineering, exploring how desalination supports public health, families, and communities. Access to clean water is foundational to hygiene, sleep quality, child development, disease prevention, and vaccine effectiveness. For parents and caregivers, reliable fresh water underpins health outcomes that are often taken for granted.

This podcast discussion goes beyond technology to examine geopolitics, environmental concerns, and the myths surrounding desalination. We talk honestly about brine, energy use, cost, and why many misconceptions persist, despite decades of real-world data.

The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel is a podcast for decision-makers, engineers, utility leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in water security, infrastructure, and the future of civilization.

00:00 Welcome to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel 02:10 Why desalination is far older than most people realize 05:30 Desalination in ancient civilizations and early survival 09:45 Roman ships, distillation, and life at sea 14:20 Cleopatra the Alchemist and early distillation science 19:10 Leonardo da Vinci’s desalination designs 25:30 Desalination during the Age of Discovery 31:40 World War II and ship-based desalination 36:50 The Middle East, oil, and land-based desalination 42:30 JFK, the Cold War, and desalination as a global priority 48:10 The birth of modern reverse osmosis membranes 53:40 Environmental myths, brine, and real impacts 59:30 Why clean water matters for health, sleep, and families 1:04:30 The future of desalination and water innovation 1:10:00 Final thoughts and where to find the book

• Desalination is one of humanity’s oldest survival technologies

• Ancient, Renaissance, and modern desalination methods are deeply connected

• Leonardo da Vinci designed early desalination systems

• JFK viewed desalination as a humanitarian and global priority

• Clean water is essential for health, hygiene, sleep, and disease prevention

• Reliable water access supports families, children, and vaccine effectiveness

• Environmental concerns around desalination are often misunderstood

• Modern reverse osmosis builds on decades of public research

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