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AGS Fliers' and Explorers' Globe Pictures of the May 2004 Atlanta Globe-Signing Event        The American Geographical Society acquired its Fliers’ & Explorers’ Globe in 1929 as a gift from AGS President John H. Finley. In his position 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 his 18-inch globe. 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 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. Among them are such people as Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Sir Edmund Hillary, William Beebe, and the Apollo 13 astronauts.         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. Prior to the May 2004 event, signatures were added to the globe in December 2000, at a reception held at the Wings Club in New York City. On that occasion, the globe was signed by around-the-world balloonists Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, deep-sea explorers Walter Pitman and Bill Ryan, deep-sea explorer Don Walsh, and astronaut Neil Armstrong. Bryan Allen contemplates the Globe Byran Allen signs the Fliers' and Explorers' Globe Bryan Allen (center) with the two inventors of the Gossamer Condor, Paul MacCready (at left) and Peter Lissaman Sylvia Earle signs the Globe Neil Armstrong speaks about the Globe Signers of the Globe (sans Sylvia Earle) Sylvia Earle speaks about the Globe Neil Armstrong (right) with John Gould, Mary Lynne Byrd, and Jerome Dobson (left to right) Lisa D., AGS President Jerry Dobson, Sylvia Earle, and AGS Councilor David Keeling (right) Photos of the March 2004 globe signing can be viewed by clicking on: New York Pictures

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