Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was commander of one of the sailing ships that ventured into India from Europe. Marco explored the continent of Asia where he met Kublai Khan. In a book entitled The Travels of Marco Polo, the adventures and journey of the man is detailed. The name of Venice native Marco Polo is forever linked to the world of exploration. Before becoming an astronaut with NASA, he was a Naval Aviator, officer in the US Navy, and a test pilot.įamous For: Explored Asia and first European to meet Kublai Khan
Neil Armstrong (1930-2012)ġ969, the whole world heard these words, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong holds the distinction of being the first man to walk on the moon.
Read our list below, which is organized in order of prominence and importance, to find out more about what these seekers contributed for the sake of humankind. From Columbus’ discovery of the Americas to Hillary’s quest up Mount Everest, the names of these great pioneers will remain important for centuries to come as the most famous explorers of all time.
In some cases, they risked their lives to make their contributions recognized by the world. There are many people throughout history who had the spirit of an adventurer and decided to explore the unknown.