Science: North Pole by Plane

The latest chapter in polar exploration may be written when Ronald Amundsen, the Norse explorer, hops off from Wainwright, on the north coast of Alaska, June 20 or shortly after for an airplane flight across the North Pole to Spitzbergen. In order to notify watchers and emergency rescue parties in Spitzbergen the news of his departure will be flashed thither by radio from Noorvik, on the west coast, the nearest transmitting station to Wainwright. Word will be carried over the intervening 400 miles by a chain of giant bonfires every fifteen miles, each...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!