Thor Heyerdahl

Thor Heyerdahl has an idea. He suspects, from his study of zoology on a South Pacific island and subsequently hearing of the ancient legends, that a white race of people with beards and stretched earlobes first settled the South Pacific islands. He writes up a formal argument for his hypothesis and tries to present it to various museums and universities in the United States, but meets with resistance. His idea goes against the current ways of science, where every scientist specializes.

Discouraged but not defeated, Thor decides that he should build a raft like the ancient South Americans used and sail it from Peru to the South Pacific. He wants to prove that this can be done. He gains the interest of Peter Freuchen, a fellow Explorers Club member, who puts Thor into contact with his first investor. Thor then attempts to gain the support of the...