(EXEMPLARY LIVES) Imagine a house cat decided to explore the world. Alexander Von Humboldt might bet the most important person you've never heard of. With no formal education, he embarked on a journey to South America (30 years before Darwin), during which he connected geology, botany and meteorology to lay the groundwork for modern earth sciences. 

A son of a Prussian aristocrat he grew up in gilded salons and formality. Nevertheless, at 29 years old he headed for the other side of the Atlantic where he trudged through the rainforests of South America, climbed Volcanoes and chatted up locals about plant species. His meticulous observations led to the discovery of the Humboldt Current in the Pacific Ocean, crucial to our understanding of global climate patterns. With little more than courage, curiosity and a sense of adventure, he also bridged the gap between science and the public through vivid travel accounts where he shared his scientific contributions. The best way to prepare is to embark.