Historians have long thought that Robert Peary was the first person to reach the North Pole. Many of them now believe that Frederick Cook might have beaten him there.
Cook said he reached the North Pole in 1908, a year before Peary. Although, another explorer named Edward Barrill said Cook lied, the New York Herald later reported that Barrill was paid to make the statement. Unfortunately, the damage was done, and Peary’s claims became accepted as truth.
There are other reasons that Peary’s claim was questioned and is still in doubt. Peary was the only person who knew how to navigate on the journey. This meant that no one could check his measurements. In addition, an NGS study that concluded that Peary was telling the truth had actually
Cook said he reached the North Pole in 1908, a year before Peary. Although, another explorer named Edward Barrill said Cook lied, the New York Herald later reported that Barrill was paid to make the statement. Unfortunately, the damage was done, and Peary’s claims became accepted as truth.
There are other reasons that Peary’s claim was questioned and is still in doubt. Peary was the only person who knew how to navigate on the journey. This meant that no one could check his measurements. In addition, an NGS study that concluded that Peary was telling the truth had actually