Roald Amundsen
First explorer to reach both poles who pioneered modern polar expedition techniques
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) redefined Arctic and Antarctic exploration through:
- First confirmed South Pole arrival (1911)
- First navigation of Northwest Passage (1903-1906)
- First undisputed North Pole flight (1926)
His innovative approaches included:
| Transportation | Used skis/dog sleds instead of manpower |
| Nutrition | Adopted Inuit pemmican recipes |
| Clothing | Developed layered fur/wool system |
The South Pole race against Robert Falcon Scott demonstrated Amundsen's superior planning - while Scott's team perished, Amundsen returned with all crew members healthy.
Aviation historian Garth Cameron writes: "Amundsen didn't just explore geography; he mapped the methodology of survival in extreme environments". His scientific precision and cultural adaptability created templates still used in polar research today.