Amundsen-Nobile. Heroes of Polar Exploration
Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile are two legendary figures in the history of polar exploration. Their exploits marked an era, leading them to challenge the ice of the Arctic and the Antarctic.
Roald Amundsen: The First Man at the South Pole
Birth: July 16, 1872, Borge, Norway.
Death: June 18, 1928 (missing during a rescue mission).
Achievements:
First to reach the South Pole (December 14, 1911).
Crossed the Northwest Passage (1903-1906), a sea route between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Participated in the first aerial crossing of the Arctic in the airship Norge (1926) with Umberto Nobile.
Legacy: Amundsen is remembered as one of the greatest polar explorers, known for his meticulous planning and respect for indigenous cultures.
Umberto Nobile: The Pioneer of Polar Flight
Birth: January 21, 1885, Lauro, Italy.
Death: July 30, 1978, Rome, Italy.
Achievements:
Designed and piloted the airship Norge (1926), completing the first aerial crossing of the Arctic with Amundsen.
He led the expedition of the airship Italia (1928), which crashed on its return from the North Pole. Nobile survived, but the mission ended in tragedy with the deaths of several crew members.
Legacy: Nobile is celebrated as a pioneer of aviation and polar exploration, despite the controversy surrounding the Italia expedition.
Their Collaboration and Rivalry
1926: Amundsen and Nobile collaborated on the Norge airship expedition, reaching the North Pole together.
Tensions: After their success, the two had a heated rivalry, with Amundsen criticizing Nobile’s leadership skills.
Rescue Mission: In 1928, when the Italia airship crashed, Amundsen went on a rescue mission. Tragically, his plane disappeared, and his body was never found.
Fun Facts
Amundsen was the first man to reach both poles: the South Pole in 1911 and the North Pole in 1926.
Nobile is considered a hero in Italy, despite the criticism he received after the Italian expedition.
Why Remember Them?
Amundsen and Nobile pushed the limits of human exploration, paving the way for new discoveries and technologies. Their stories of courage, rivalry and tragedy continue to inspire generations.
