Life, 1898-01-06 · page 7 of 20
Life — January 6, 1898 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Satirical Cartoon: "Life's Polar Expedition" This is a humorous fake-expedition narrative mocking Professor Horablower's claim to have discovered the North Pole. The accompanying illustration shows a group traveling across snowy terrain toward a pole with a flag. The satire works on multiple levels: Life magazine questions the credibility of polar discovery claims (this references real contemporary polar exploration controversies). The text includes absurd details—elephants helping with the journey, provisions including ice cream for cows—designed to parody expedition journals. The narrative voice expresses skepticism about why major explorers supposedly "didn't tell about it" before, suggesting the discovery claim is fabricated or exaggerated for publicity. This mocks both the explorer and media sensationalism around polar achievement during this era of intense exploration competition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
On the morning of the 27th of December I discovered the North Pole. Life’s Polar Expedition. LTHOUGH Professor Hornblower has urged us not to divulge the fact that he has discovered the Pole, we think it ought to be done, It will add to the interest in the region, and while Science has not been a gainer, and the Pole has been left where it is, no doubt more women will flock to hear Horn- blower lecture on his return because his intimacy with the Pole has been duly announced. Reports from the Same Old Game have been unremitting in their regularity, and the carrier-pigeons still hold out. Latest advices are as follows : Dec. 27,.—This morning, having nothing better to do, we discovered the Pole. It looks about as I thought, but the halo around it was somewhat of a surprise. It shows up well in adark night, and sheds considerable heat, It is the warmest spot I have struck since I left my own de- lightful home. Dec. 27.—It was a good thought that prompted us to bring along some elephants. To-day we began to cut down the Pole and carry it piece by piece to the Same Old Game, The elephants were a great help. ‘The crew are carrying on this work without me, I cannot leave the ship at present, as Iam busy in writing my book and playing cribbage with Miss Belle Bunker, my type- writer, Our stock of provisions holds out remarkably well. We have had to put seal- skin cloaks on the ducks to keep them warm, and our cows are giving ice-cream, but these are only the natural vicissitudes of any Arctic trip. Dec, 28,—I took a recess to-day from my arduous labors and went up on deck to view the Pole, While examining it I made a startling discovery, I found that the Pole had been discovered before, so far as I know, by nearly every Arctic explorer. In their well-known chirography I found carved on the Pole the following names : Hen Hudson, Johnny Franktin, R. E, Pary. Fritzy Nansen, I wonder why they didn’t tell about it? Dec. 29.—It’s all plain now, of course. What is the use of announcing the discov- ery of the Pole? It is much better business The barber of the expedition seemed most impressed. not to let anyone know about it. Other- wise the interest would abate, As a matter of profits it is better not to let the cat out of the bag. I have carved my name above the others and ordered the Pole put back in Its place. Keep this mum, as 1 may want to try again some time, if I don’t make enough out of this trip. Dec. 30.—Gustavus Damm, my second officer, discovered an Esquimau girl wan- dering around on a berg this morning. He made signs that she was wanted on board, and here she is. Another mouth to feed. Dec. 31.—The last day of the year. I made every man and woman take another oath to-day that they would not divulge the secrets of this trip for the rest of their nat- ural lives. Gustavus Damm is with the Esquimau girl in the hammock. Jan. 1,—Gustavus Damm was found this morning under the bulwarks proposing to our new guest, She accepted him on the spot and he came aft togetaring. They are to be married at noon to-morrow, Jan. 2.—I have just performed the mar- riage ceremony over Gustavus Damm and his bride. She wore a Union suit of rough sealskin and carried a bunch of snowballs comicbooks.com