1. Stefansson,Vilhjalmur. Canadian Arctic Expedition (unnumbered): Stefansson examining an ice pressure ridge in search of the easiest place to make a road for sledges. Rauner Special Collections Library, 1913-1923. Stefansson Collection [stem229_049-13-14-f]
Stefansson is seen standing atop a massive ice pressure ridge, scouting the best “place to make a road for sledges.” This photo, taken on Stefansson’s Canadian Arctic Expedition sometime between 1913 and 1923, highlights his vision for the development of the Arctic. Proving his notion of the “friendly Arctic,” a place where one can settle and thrive, to the world remained central to his mission in these expeditions.
2. Stefansson, Vilhjalmur. Unpublished. “Natural Cold Storage.” In Encyclopedia Arctica. (Volume 2a: Permafrost Engineering, (p. 12)) [Vol_IIA-0240]
This image is a clipping of the New York Times article “Royal Scythians Found in Tomb” By John Hillaby from Oct. 16, 1955, included in Vilhjalmur Stefansson’s essay “Natural Cold Storage” in the “Permafrost Engineering” section of the Encyclopedia Arctica. Stefansson uses this artifact to draw attention to the superb capability of the Arctic environment for preservation and introduce a historically backed argument for permafrost as a superior yet underutilized method for cold storage. He advocated for future development of permafrost, rather than artificial refridgeration, to enhance cold storage capability in the Alaskan Arctic, an argument which connects to his standpoint in the broader discussion of Arctic development.
3. Stefansson, Vilhjalmur. 27 Herschel Island 483 Herschel Island. Rauner Special Collections Library 1913-1923. Stefansson Collection [stem229_050-03A-04A-f]
The picture, taken sometime between 1913-1923, shows a rare, white-majority whaling settlement on Herschel Island that was primarily used in winter. Herschel Island was a home base for whalers, Anglican missionaries, and Arctic explorers (such as Stefansson) for their many expeditions.
4. Stefansson, Vilhjalmur. Unpublished. Tractor-Type Transportation Units for Arctic Operation. In Encyclopedia Arctica. (Volume 2b: Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, (p. 12)) [Vol_IIB-0068]
Contemporary petroleum production is a major industry in northern Canada. To reach the multi-billion dollar profits that oil companies make each year, they had to build from the ground up. Vilhjalmur Stefansson’s Encyclopedia Arctica clearly and concisely documents the development of the oil industry from its beginnings in the early 1900’s, discussing key parties involved with Canadian oil development, along with their motives and difficulties. As editor of the Encyclopedia, Stefansson could dictate which articles to include. As a result, his clearly defined section on oil development is evidence that he viewed it as vitally important. Characteristic of his lifelong ideology, Stefansson utilized the Encyclopedia Arctica to promote exploitation of Arctic resources, specifically through the economic and political benefits of oil development.