During the International Geophysical Year (IGY), in the late 1950s, teams of scientists poured in Antarctica, mining for data: about the weather, the climate and most especially, about the ice. Producer Barbara Bogaev talks to some of the men who were there. Among them are: John Behrendt, who signed on as a young grad assistant, and went onto author numerous books about the ice; Tony Gow, who thought he was going to study volcanoes, and went onto to become one of the world's leading authorities on the properties of ice; Phil Smith, one of the few who knew how to safely forge a path around crevasses, and became one of the leading architects of international Antarctic policy; and Charlie Bentley, part of the team that made the first measurements of West Antarctic ice sheets, and became a world renown glaciologist. 

The Soundprint documentary series features the best work of top radio producers. The award winning documentaries are renowned for drawing the listener into the story with compelling interviews, authentic voices and rich sound. From memoirs to science, health and popular culture, Soundprint creates a powerful experience the listener will not soon forget. IGY: On the Ice is part of a Soundprint special series called Pole to Pole, produced with support from the National Science Foundation. Here are some other documentaries in the series: 

“Fire and Ice” Produced by: Dan Grossman

“IGY: Weather Report” Produced by: Barbara Bogaev

“Life at McMurdo” Produced by: Soundprint

“Meltdown” Produced by: Dan Grossman

“Time Capsule in Siberia” Produced by: Moira Rankin

Soundprint Executive Producer: Moira Rankin

Audio Engineer: Jared Weissbrot

Science Editor: Peter Webb

Science Editor: Dian Belanger

Production Assistant: Nkechi Mogekwu