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Mawson's Polar PJs Found in Outback
28 Dec
Summary
- Volunteers digitize 31 diaries detailing 95 field trips.
- Mawson's notes reveal polar gear worn in South Australia.
- Marie Curie inspired Mawson's uranium search.
Douglas Mawson, renowned for his Antarctic survival, also dedicated himself to understanding South Australia's Flinders Ranges. A team of volunteers has spent two decades deciphering his 31 diaries from 95 field trips between 1906 and the 1950s. These journals reveal fascinating details, such as Mawson wearing his polar pajamas in the Australian outback to cope with extreme temperatures.
The complex task involved translating his deteriorating handwriting, archaic language, and personal shorthand. Volunteers, including Mawson's grandson Alun Thomas, relied on old dictionaries and familiarity with his script to complete the digitization. This meticulous work ensures that Mawson's extensive geological and personal records from his Australian adventures are preserved for future study.
Notably, Mawson's scientific curiosity extended to uranium exploration, influenced by his meeting with Marie Curie in Paris in 1911. His detailed notes and photographs have enabled geologists to pinpoint locations he visited, contributing to initiatives like a planned walk retracing his footsteps through the Flinders Ranges.
