First Person To Travel Around The World In 80 Days
When it comes to travel, people often take pride in how quickly they can get from point A to point B. But in 1873, a British man named Phileas Fogg took speed to the next level by embarking on a journey to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. This amazing feat was chronicled in the classic novel “Around the World in Eighty Days” by Jules Verne.
Who Was Phileas Fogg?
In Jules Verne’s novel, Phileas Fogg was described as a wealthy and eccentric Englishman who lived a quiet and predictable life in London. He was a member of the Reform Club, where he spent his days playing whist and reading the newspaper. He was known for his punctuality and ordered lifestyle, with every minute of his day accounted for in his diary.
But when Fogg made a bet with his fellow club members that he could travel around the world in just 80 days, he threw his entire life into disarray. He hired a French manservant named Passepartout and set out on an adventure that would take him across oceans, through jungles, and over mountains.
The Journey Begins
Fogg and Passepartout began their journey by boarding a train from London to Paris. This was considered a revolutionary mode of transportation at the time, as the first steam railway had only been introduced in the 1820s. From there, they continued by train to Brindisi, a port city in southern Italy.
While in Brindisi, Fogg and Passepartout encountered a young woman named Aouda, who was being forced into an unwanted marriage. Fogg, being the gentleman that he was, agreed to help her and bring her along on their journey.
Across The Oceans
From Brindisi, Fogg and his companions took a steamship to Suez, Egypt. Their journey continued through India, where they encountered bandits and were arrested for disrupting a religious ceremony. In Hong Kong, Fogg narrowly escaped arrest for a bank robbery he didn't commit before continuing on to San Francisco by steamship and train.
Home Stretch
As Fogg and his companions raced home, they were pursued by a detective named Fix, who suspected Fogg of stealing from the bank in London. In the end, Fogg and his companions barely made it back to London in time to win the bet, but were able to clear their names of any wrongdoing.
The Legacy Of Phileas Fogg
While Fogg may have been a fictional character, his journey had a very real impact on the world. “Around the World in Eighty Days” was one of Jules Verne’s most popular novels, and helped to popularize travel and adventure stories. It also encouraged people to push the boundaries of what was considered possible, and to think about how they could use new technologies to make the world a smaller and more connected place.
Today, many people still dream of circumnavigating the globe, and making their mark on the history books. And while they may not be able to do it in just 80 days, the spirit of Phileas Fogg lives on.
