From the first lighter-than-air ascent in the Arctic in 1799 to the flight of the Graf Zeppelin in 1931, this book describes the early plans and endeavours, including flights by Walter Wellman in 1907 and 1909, as well as the Nobile flights across the Pole in 1926 and 1928. It addresses many questions: Why did Amundsen launch such a vicious attack on Nobile in the wake of the flight of the Norge across the Arctic Sea to Alaska? What was the truth behind the dramatic happenings following the crash of the Italia on its return from the North Pole? What lay behind the rumour that the Graf Zeppelin was to have been constructed outside Germany? What was the role of Dr. Schutte? Was it true that Eckener had never really intended to have the Graf Zeppelin fly to the Pole? Why did the crew of the Graf Zeppelin refuse to fly to the Pole in 1931?