NORTH: In March of 1926, American explorer, sailor, researcher and lecturer Donald MacMillan visited Bradford and spoke to a large audience at the junior high school about his adventure in the Frozen North. He was part of an expedition fostered by the National Geographic Society, with help from the U.S. Navy.  Three planes and four dog teams covered 4,000 miles of Arctic territory in one trip.

“According to the speaker, air planes are not practical for Northern work, the lack of landing and starting spaces rendering the work too hazardous. He also greatly doubts the value of the dirigible at its present stage of development when flights at 40 degrees below zero have so far proven impossible. That marvel of the North — the Eskimo dog team — must still remain man’s principal ally in uncovering the mysteries of the great unemployed area just beyond the Pole.”

He had photos showing “the few hundred” Inuit who “live and labor for a livelihood.” While he referred to their lifestyles as crude, he acknowledged, “Still happiness and contentment are theirs even today as they move about in absolute darkness waiting for the six months sun to come.”

He spoke to the Rotary Club as well, explaining the “reasons for and the value to civilization of Polar exploration. He described the untold treasures of the vast north and told how scientific data of inestimable value is secured.”

MacMillan made over 30 expeditions to the Arctic from 1908 until 1957 during his 46-year career. He pioneered the use of radios, airplanes, and electricity in the Arctic and put together a dictionary of the Inuktitut language.