Who is this Benjamin Roth and why is he barely recognizable in his profile picture? Let's answer the second part first. Roth is not exactly famous. That is the best photo of him we could find.

Speaking of photos of Roth, take a look at this one.

Looks like it was taken at a Hollywood studio, doesn't it? Perhaps during the making of some old-time marine movie...

Not exactly. This is Antarctica, 1929. Roth, an airplane mechanic, was part of Admiral Byrd's expedition. The photo was taken after Roth had ice collapse under him. He fell off the cliff and a boat was sent to rescue him. So one of those mystery figures is Roth himself.

So why are we concerned with a man whose best claim to fame is being rescued? Well, as part of that expedition, Roth was the first documented Jew in Antarctica and the first Jew at the South Pole.

So that's your answer to the first part...