One hundred years ago this week, the New York Times reported that Robert Peary had successfully discovered the North Pole, just five days after the New York Herald trumpeted that Frederick Cook was the discoverer. Who was right? As it turns out, probably neither. In the century since Peary and Cook made their claims, supported by their newspaper partisans, both have been dismissed as liars or frauds, neither of whom likely reached the pole. And the controversy, which so dominated discussions of 20th Century exploration, would appear to be dead. But it isn’t. National Geographic, which supported Peary’s efforts, continues to stand by Peary. Staking out an opposite claim is Smithsonian magazine, which in a recent issue threw its weight behind Cook.