Exploration of Antarctica had been neglected for most of the 19th century.

It was a distant and harsh land, all but inaccessible.

No one could see any commercial or economic potential there.

This began to change by the turn of the 20th century, as modern technology made exploration

of Antarctica more feasible.

And the man who had done the most to open up Antarctica to exploration was Royal Navy

Commander Robert Falcon Scott.

Scott returned from his discovery expedition a hero. He published a successful book and received a promotion.

But the greatest prize of all had eluded him.

His attempt to plant the Union flag at the South Pole had failed.

And so, Captain Scott resolved to return to Antarctica and finish the job by traveling to the South Pole.

But he was not the only one harboring that ambition.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Music Episode Episode 62

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Last week, we looked at the discovery and early exploration of Antarctica and finished with Scott's

Discovery Expedition. On his return to Britain, Scott at once became a hero and the most famous

of Antarctic explorers. This, in spite of the fact that the voyage of discovery has been Scott's

first and only experience of

polar exploration. Keep in mind that he was just an ordinary Royal Navy officer before that.

And you will recall from last week that not everyone in Britain was honoring Scott's achievements.

Ernest Shackleton had taken personal umbrage following the 1906

...