Salomon August Andrée (1854-1897) was a Swedish explorer, scientist, and engineer who is best known for his ill-fated attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon in 1897. He was born in Gränna, Sweden, and was the son of a wealthy merchant. He studied engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, and later worked as an engineer for the Swedish government.
Andrée was an avid explorer and adventurer, and was determined to be the first person to reach the North Pole. He had already made several attempts to reach the pole by boat, but had been unsuccessful. In 1895, he proposed a new plan: to reach the pole by balloon. He believed that the balloon would be able to travel faster and farther than a boat, and that it would be able to carry more supplies.
Andrée and two companions, Nils Strindberg and Knut Fraenkel, set off in the balloon, the Eagle, on 11 July 1897. They were well-prepared for the journey, with supplies of food, fuel, and scientific instruments. They flew for three days, but were unable to reach the pole. On 14 July, they landed on the ice of White Island, in the Svalbard archipelago.
Andrée and his companions spent the next two months trying to reach the mainland, but were unsuccessful. They eventually decided to try to reach the island of Spitsbergen, but were unable to do so. On 8 October 1897, they were forced to abandon the Eagle and set up camp on the ice.
Andrée and his companions spent the next three months living on the ice, surviving on a diet of seal meat and polar bear fat. They were eventually rescued by a Norwegian sealer on 20 April 1898, but Andrée had died of exposure and starvation a few days earlier.
Andrée's attempt to reach the North Pole was a tragic failure, but it was also a remarkable feat of exploration and courage. He was the first person to attempt to reach the pole by balloon, and his journey was a testament to the power of human ambition and determination.
Andrée's legacy lives on in the form of the Andrée Polar Institute, which was founded in his honor in 1898. The institute is dedicated to the study of polar exploration and the preservation of Andrée's legacy. It is also home to the Andrée Museum, which houses artifacts from Andrée's expedition, as well as other polar exploration artifacts.
Andrée's legacy also lives on in the form of the Andrée Medal, which is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in polar exploration. The medal is a fitting tribute to a man who was willing to risk his life in pursuit of his dream.
Salomon August Andrée was a brave and determined explorer who was willing to risk his life in pursuit of his dream. His ill-fated attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon in 1897 is a testament to his courage and ambition. His legacy lives on in the form of the Andrée Polar Institute, the Andrée Museum, and the Andrée Medal, all of which serve to honor his memory and his remarkable achievements.