Science: From the Lower Depths

After World War II, the people of Denmark, cooped up by the Nazi occupation for four years, felt an urge to explore the world, even if only vicariously. A Danish Expedition Fund was set up, but it had no funds. Then Oceanographer Anton F. Bruun had a bright idea. He persuaded the government to waive import taxes on scarce luxury goods sent to the Expedition Fund by overseas Danes. A hint to overseas Danes was enough. Back came a flood of canned pineapple, coconuts, cigarettes, honey. The gifts sold for $600,000 and paid for equipping the Galathea, an oceanographic research ship.

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