1. The Flyers' & Explorer's Globe

2. What is the “Flyers and Explorers” Globe?
Background
The American Geographical Society acquired its Fliers’ & Explorers’ Globe in 1929 as a gift from AGS President John H. Finley. As Editor-in-Chief of the New York Times, Finley invited early heroes of exploration and aviation to draw their routes and sign their names on the 18-inch globe.
Signers of the Fliers’ & Explorers’ Globe over the years are men and women who have explored certain places on earth for the first time in recorded history, reached new extremes of height or depth, pioneered new means of travel, or set aviation records. Their accomplishments have been made at great personal physical risk.
The Society has continued the custom and, in so doing, has created a remarkable and unique symbol of humanity’s unquenchable drive to explore the universe.
Signers of the Fliers’ & Explorers’ Globe are proposed by AGS’ Exploration Committee for approval by the AGS Honors Committee and confirmation by the AGS Council.

3. What does the “Flyers and Explorers” Globe represent?
A priceless record of historically significant events of human achievement
Recognition of great exploration achievements, including, but not limited to, those in aviation
The importance of geography in understanding the world around us
The American Geographical Society and its longstanding role in exploration

4. The AGS has developed successful corporate sponsorships in support of the Globe…
AGS developed corporate sponsorships in support of the Globe to raise awareness of the historical importance of the Globe and Exploration, and to further awareness and support of the AGS
Marsh Aviation and Delta Air Lines led the sponsorship of two Globe signing events in 2004
USAIG, a leading aviation insurer, contributed funds to support Globe refurbishment
The AGS offers additional sponsorships by corporations, museums and individuals for future Globe signings and corporate or “museum” public displays to further understanding and awareness of the Globe and its historical importance

5. The AGS Fliers’ and Explorers’ Globe Signers
Roald Amundsen
Neil Armstrong
William Anders
Robert A. Bartlett
William Beebe
Fred Austin
Alexander Beliakov
M. Bellonte
Russell Boardman
Frank Borman
Louise A. Boyd
W. S. Brock
Richard E. Byrd
Clarence C. Chamberlin
Valery Chkaloff
L. Cotte
D. Costes
Amelia Earhart
Hugo Eckener
Lincoln Ellsworth
Charles Evans
James E. Fitsmaurice
P. J. Gaffney
Walt Pitman
Harold Gatty
John Glenn, Jr.
B. Orteig
Russell Owen
Robert Peary
Carl O. Petersen
J. Polando
Wiley Post
Finn Ronne
Fred Roots
J. de Sibour
Violette de Sibour
Vilhjalmur Stefansson
Leigh Wade
Sir Hubert Wilkins
J. Tuzo Wilson
Walter A. Wood
J. M. Wordie
Bertrand Piccard
William Ryan
Junko Tabei
Liv Arneson
Edith Ronne
Jennie Darlington
Ann Bancroft
Dr. Sylvia Earle
Bryan Allen
Bill Anderson
Lawrence Gould
K. R. Greenaway
Wolfgang von Gronau
Albert A. Hegenberger
Matthew A. Hensen
E.P. Hillary
Herbert Hollick-Kenyon
Baron Gunther von Hunefeld
C. Kingsford Smith
Herman Koehl
Joseph Le Brix
Richard Light
Charles A. Lindbergh
James Lovell
George Lowe
Harry Lynch
Harry Lyon
Lester J. Maitland
Harrison Finch
Brian Jones
Don Walsh
Jack L. Martin
J.A. Mollison
Robert Cushman Murphy
Fridtjof Nansen
Erik Nelson

6. President John F. Kennedy looks on as Astronaut John Glenn signs the Globe

7. Apollo 8

8. 2004 Globe appearances…
New York, March 2004, attendees join old and new signers of the globe at the Powerhouse in the Museum of Natural History.
Event honorees, and new Globe signers included
William Anderson – 1958 commander of the submarine NAUTILUS, first vessel to cross the North Pole by water
Ann Bancroft - first woman to reach both the North Pole (1986 by dog sled) and South Pole (1993 on skis)
Liv Arneson - one of the first women to ski and sail across the Antarctic Landmass in 2001
Junko Tabei – first woman to climb Mt. Everest in 1975
Prior signers who introduced the new honorees for this event:
Brian Jones - carried out the first non-stop round the world flight in a balloon, Breitling Orbiter 3
William (Bill) Anders: First lunar orbital mission, 1968, Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 8
Don Walsh - dived deeper than any other humans in history when they descended to the bottom of the Marianas Trench in 1960

9. AGS President Jerry Dobson (left), Mr. and Mrs
AGS President Jerry Dobson (left), Mr. and Mrs. Bill Anderson, AGS Executive Director Mary Lynne Bird (right)
                    (Left to Right) Brian Jones, Don Walsh, Junko Tabei, Bill Anderson, Liv Arnesen, Ann Bancroft, Bill Anders
Ms Junko Tabei

10. New York March 2004 Globe Signing Event
Dr. Jerome Dobson, AGS
Jerry Frick, Marsh
Nathan Sambul, Marsh
Ms. Michele Burns, Delta
Chris Duncan, Delta
William Anderson,
Ms. Mary Lynne Bird, AGS
Don Walsh
Ms. Anne Bancroft
Ms. Liv Arneson
Ms. Mary Lynne Bird, AGS
Back: Chris Duncan, Brian Jones, Don Walsh, Junko Tabei, Liv Arneson, Jerome Dobson, Anne bancroft, Bill Naders, Nathan Sambul
Front: John Gould, Michele Burns, Mary Lynne Bird, William Anderson

11. 2004 Globe Appearances, continued
Atlanta, May 2004, our second event, was hosted at the Atlanta History Center.
Event honorees, and new Globe signers included:
Bryan Allen – the first person to fly a human-powered aircraft 22 miles across the English Channel in 1979
Dr. Sylvia Earle – walked unassisted on the sea floor at a record depth of 1,250 feet below the surface in 1979
Edith Ronne – In 1947, became one of the first women to winter-over Antarctica
Introducing Event honorees included:
Neil Armstrong - the first person to set foot on the moon's surface in 1969
Keith Greenaway - navigated the first U.S. military flight in 1946 over the North Pole
George Lowe - a member of the 1953 British Everest Expedition, the first team to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

12. Edith Ronne, Keith Greenaway, Bryan Allen
Left to Right: Neil Armstrong, George Lowe, Dr. Sylvia Earle,
Edith Ronne, Keith Greenaway, Bryan Allen

13. Atlanta May 2004 Globe Signing Event Ms. Mary Lynne Bird, AGS
Dr. Sylvia Earle
Ms. Edith Ronne, George Lowe
Neal Armstrong, Ms. Karen Ronne Tupek
Ms. Edith Ronne
Bryan Allen

14. To find out more about the extensive history of the Flyers’ and Explorers’ Globe, as well as a complete listing of the Globe signers and the events for which they signed, please visit
For those interested in corporate sponsorships of the Globe, or in a Globe display event for your corporation or museum event, or researching the Globe’s expansive history, please contact the Executive Director of The American Geographical Society, Ms. Mary Lynne Bird, at