1957 South Pole Winter Station

Bob Benson was a recent young college graduate when he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: serving at the very first South Pole winterover station. The team leader for the ionospheric research program at the new station, Willie Hough, realized that he would need help for the first winterover and Bob's background was perfect for the job. He became one of the 18 pioneers to winter at the geographic South Pole for the first time. He carried an 8mm movie camera with him and recorded the film that is shown below. This includes the legendary parachute drop of a Caterpillar D2 tractor that went awry. Bob Benson narrates this historic film. Copyright Dr. Robert Benson 2012.