September 13

Born in Munich in 1877, Wilhelm Filchner embarked on a career of polar exploration. He organized and led the 1911–1912 Second German Antarctic Expedition aboard the ship Deutschland, aiming to explore the Weddell Sea region. Despite the ship becoming trapped in ice, his team charted new coastline and gathered valuable scientific data. Filchner continued studies of Central Asia and published detailed expedition reports. His contributions advanced polar science before his death in 1957.

Amelie Beese was the first German woman to earn a pilot's license, achieving this milestone in 1911 and breaking gender barriers in early aviation. Born in Berlin in 1886, she trained under Anthony Fokker in the Netherlands before returning to Germany to teach flying techniques. After World War I, Beese shifted her creative talents to sculpture, studying at the Berlin Academy of Arts. Her works, often reflecting themes of flight and freedom, were exhibited in several European galleries. Beese's dual legacy as an aviatrix and an artist continues to inspire both pilots and sculptors alike.

Max Pruss was a German airship captain who commanded the LZ 129 Hindenburg on its historic final voyage. Born in 1891, he began his career serving in the German Army during World War I before transitioning to Zeppelins in the 1920s. As Hindenburg's captain, Pruss survived the tragic 1937 disaster in Lakehurst, New Jersey, writing memoirs that provided detailed eyewitness accounts. He continued to advocate for airship travel, joining post-war aviation projects. Pruss's experiences highlight both the promise and perils of early 20th-century airship exploration.

Jeff Lowe (1950–2018) was an American mountaineer renowned for his pioneering work in alpine climbing. He introduced modern ice climbing techniques and lightweight alpine-style ascents. Lowe made numerous first ascents in the Himalayas, Alaska Range, and Rocky Mountains. He founded the American Avalanche Association and contributed to avalanche safety research. His groundbreaking climbs and writings inspired a generation of climbers to pursue bold, ethical ascents.