AGS Fliers' and Explorers' Globe
Pictures - March 2004 Globe Signers Ceremony
AGS Fliers' and Explorers' Globe
Pictures of the March 2004 Globe-Signing Event
Pictures of the March 2004 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 March 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.
 (Left to Right)Brian Jones, Don Walsh, Junko Tabei, Bill Anderson, Liv Arnesen, Ann Bancroft, Bill Anders   |
 Ms Junko Tabei   |
 
 AGS President Jerry Dobson (left), Mr and Mrs Bill Anderson, AGS Executive Director Mary Lynne Bird (right) |