Expedition!

Production details

Sponsored by Ralston Purina, the series aired on ABC from 7:00 to 7:30 PM, moving from Tuesdays in its first season to Mondays in its second. It premiered on September 20, 1960, and concluded on April 27, 1962. Local affiliate versions replaced the national show every third week. The program earned a Thomas Alva Edison Award for science education, an Ohio State Award for broadcast journalism, and a 1961 Peabody Award. Fred Steiner, a noted television composer, wrote background music for many episodes.

First season

Twenty-seven episodes were produced for the 1960–61 season. The debut, "The Frozen Continent" (September 20, 1960), covered geophysical information about the South Pole and winter life in Antarctica, based on International Geophysical Year exploration. "Operation Noah's Ark" (September 27, 1960) drew from Charles Lagus's book on evacuating African wildlife before dam construction. "Journey to the Roof of the World" (October 11, 1960) examined Tibet.

"Men Against the Mountains" (October 18, 1960) focused on climbing deaths on Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Jungfrau. "3000 Years Under the Sea" (November 1, 1960) documented the first underwater archaeological expedition to Asia Minor, searching for a Bronze Age shipwreck off Turkey. "Weavers of Death" was set for November 8, 1960 but pre-empted by election coverage, likely airing December 31, 1960 (unconfirmed). "Land of the Dying Ghosts" (November 22, 1960) covered Greenland's survival struggles.

"Lost Kingdoms of Arabia" (November 29, 1960) documented the unearthing of Timna, capital of Qataban, by Wendell Phillips's expedition. "Survivors of the Ice Age" (December 13, 1960) focused on the musk ox. "Last of the Arctic Nomads" (December 20, 1960) covered Lapland's reindeer herders.

Second season

Twenty-two episodes aired in the 1961–62 season. "Africa's Animal Kingdom" (September 18, 1961) featured native African wildlife. "Water People of Burma" (September 25, 1961) documented the Moken people living on boats. "Sacred Well of Sacrifice" (October 9, 1961) and "Treasure of the Sacred Well" (October 16, 1961) covered research at Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza.

"Russian Assault On the Antarctic" aired October 30, 1961. "Rivers of Fire and Ice" aired November 6, 1961. "Valley of Shangri-La" (November 20, 1961) explored a Himalayan valley possibly inspiring Lost Horizon. "Menace of the Moving Glacier" (November 27, 1961) continued that story.

"Insect Safari" aired December 4, 1961. "Black Jungle Trial (Trail?)" aired December 11, 1961. "Valley of the Shadow of Death" aired December 18, 1961. "Weavers of Death," "Shark Island," "Journey to the Lost World" (covering a South American cave expedition in British Guiana led by Stanley Jeeves), and "Saga of Sea Dragon / Under the Ice" (documenting the USS Seadragon's Arctic traverse) all aired between December 31, 1961 and April 27, 1962. "Land Divers of Pentecost" also aired in this period.