In the Shadow of the NORGE. Applying New Technologies for Storytelling in Historical Geography and History of Exploration

Abstract

Year 2021 marked the 95^th anniversary of the first transarctic flight, conducted by airship NORGE in May 1926. To celebrate the expedition, an international cooperation among institutional partners organized an ICT-based commemoration within a project called “ShadowOfNorge”. On this occasion, our workgroup carried out an experiment for investigation purposes. The intended research goal was to assess the technical and applicative feasibility of developing a cultural dissemination product in the fields of historical geography and history of exploration, using innovative, low-cost technologies. The activity did not specifically aim to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the project’s social impact. Despite some technical difficulties that limited the diffusion of some of the project’s components, the measurable results suggest a satisfactory potential for public dissemination and education. This provides, in our opinion, a positive answer to the research question.