However, the men who materialized and evolved the concept of flying started off with the same idea, which was to turn that dream into reality. The sky then, was unchartered territory, which meant that the starting point was free for those who dared. The early decades saw bold aviation explorers pioneering long distance journeys, namely Richard Byrd who became the first man to fly over the South Pole.
Byrd, an American aviator and US Naval officer, had to travel almost 1,290 km (800 miles) with the help of a solar compass and Longines watches for navigation. In 1928, Byrd became the first man to reach Antarctica of this nature, after a perilous flight of almost 19 hours. It was reported that Longines received the following radiogram: “The Longines instruments and chronometer watches supplied by Wittnauer Company New York have given the most satisfactory service. With hearty appreciation. Byrd Antarctic expedition.”