Conquest of the South Pole' trumpeted the world's newspapers in March 1912, marking Roald Amundsen's triumph over the tragic Robert Scott. Yet, behind all the headlines, there was a much bigger story. Antarctica was awash with expeditions. In 1912, five separate teams representing the old and new world (Scott for Britain, Amundsen for Norway, Mawson for Australasia, Filchner for Germany and Shirase for Japan) were diligently embarking on scientific exploration beyond the edge of the known world. Their discoveries not only enthralled the world but changed our understanding of the planet forever. During this incredible year at the height of the Heroic Age of Exploration, the limits of our planet were pushed all the way to the South Pole and the door to Antarctica flung wide open. A frozen continent shaped by climatic extremes and inhabited by wildlife and vegetation unknown to science was being uncovered. Tales of endurance, self-sacrifice and technological innovation during 1912 laid the foundations for modern scientific exploration and inspired future generations. To celebrate the centenary of this groundbreaking work, 1912: The Year the World Discovered Antarctica will revisit the exploits of these different expeditions. Looking beyond the personalities and drawing on his own polar experiences, Chris Turney will show how their discoveries marked the beginning of the end for traditional exploration. Making use of antiques alongside unpublished archival material, and weaving in the latest scientific findings, Chris will reveal why 1912 marked the dawn of a new age in understanding of the natural world, and show how we might reawaken the public's passion for discovery and exploration.
