Balto

3D Model

Diphtheria struck Nome, Alaska, in 1925. The good news? Scientists had developed a serum to combat it. The bad news? The closest supply was 674 miles away, and a treacherous -50F blizzard had cut off the city. Speed was essential as the treatment must be given quickly, but the blizzard prevented any hope of motorized delivery. To reach the town, Alaskans turned to dogsleds! The annual Idatarod dogsled race celebrates the extraordinary partnership of humans and dogs.

In 1925, an Alaskan sled dog named Balto saved lives in Nome, Alaska. In 1927, the citizens of Cleveland saved Balto! Two years after the historic “Serum Run,” Cleveland businessman George Kimble discovered Balto and six teammates on display in a Los Angeles sideshow. Outraged, Kimble launched a fundraising campaign and brought the dogs to Cleveland to live out the rest of their days as heroes. More than 10,000 people came to see the dogs arrive in their new home.

Scanner: Artec Leo

Image by Hailey Majewski, CMNH