provided descriptions of Greenland and the Davis
1.1.1
Strait are those of Lourens Feikesz Haan (1720),
Hans Egede (1746), Johan Anderson (1756), and
David Cranz (1765-1770).5
How Science Organizations in the
Non-Arctic Countries Became Members of IASC
Louwrens Hacquebord
In this way, descriptions of the coast and coastal
maps were generated. Many of the old maps have
been preserved and they provide a good record of
how the geographical image developed.6 In the 19th
century, researchers from other disciplines became
Introduction
interested in the Arctic as well. Geologists began to
The exploration of the Arctic has always been an
search for minerals in the interior Arctic lands, me-
international effort. For a long time, explorers and
teorologists and geoscientists became interested in
scientists from both Arctic and non-Arctic countries
the earth system and especially in earth magnetism.
have been active in seeking to understand Arctic
Prospecting for coal and minerals brought new ex-
geophysical, biological and socio-economical pro-
peditions to the lands around the North Pole.
cesses. From mediaeval times onward, ships sailed
from the temperate zone to the North to discover
Most expeditions, however, were individual efforts.
new lands and new sea routes to Southeast Asia.
No structured scientific circumpolar research was
In the sixteenth century, English and Dutch expe-
being undertaken. It is for this reason that Karl
ditions sailed North to search for a northern sea
Weyprecht in 1875 devised a plan to establish a
route.1 New discoveries were recorded in docu-
network of stations for systematic and synchro-
ments and historical maps demonstrating increased
nous observations in polar areas, which he aimed
geographical knowledge of the Arctic.
to realize through international collaboration. His
plan formed the starting point for the organization
The scientific and realistic representations of the
of the first International Polar Year (IPY) in 1882-
area were being published as early as the whaling
1883.7 Ten countries – six Arctic and four non-Arc-
period of the seventeenth century. One of the best
tic - participated in the initiative. In the second IPY
documented and earliest realistic descriptions of
(1932-1933) the number of participating countries
the Arctic was written by a German ship´s barber,
increased to fourteen – seven Arctic and seven
Friedrich Martens (1675). His description of the
non-Arctic – all contributing to one science plan. In
North formed the basis of subsequent accounts
the third IPY (most often referred to as the Interna-
written by Dutch and English whaling captains
tional Geophysical Year – IGY 1957-1958), twelve
C
ornelis Gijsbert Zorgdrager (1720, 1727)3 and Wil-
countries participated in polar research, but this
liam Scoresby (1820). Other classic works, which
time the science focused mostly on Antarctica.8
2
4
IASC Council Meeting in Illulisat,
Greenland, 1994.
Photo provided by Louwrens Hacquebord
21
01 Development of IASC