In 72 Days Around the World (Nellie Bly)
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In 1888 American Investigative Journalist Nellie Bly (1864-1922) had an idea: she wanted to travel around the world in less than 80 days – turning the fictional record from Jules Verne's novel "Around the World in Eighty Days" into reality. Her publisher was sceptical. A woman? Impossible. She would need a male escort, would drag along far too much luggage, and in any case spoke only English. Better to send a man. Bly's reply: "Start the man – I'll start the same day for another newspaper and beat him." The publisher gave in.
On 14 November 1889 she set off, with a single small travel bag (a mere 40 x 18 cm). Precisely the luggage that a woman, it had been claimed, could never possibly limit herself to. 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes later she was back – faster than any man before her. A sensation!
This ink drawing shows Nellie Bly with that very travel bag.
| Motive: | Portrait |
|---|---|
| Technique & Materials: | Ink drawing on paper |
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