A Humorous Comparison of the First Two Explorers Who Attempted to Circumnavigate the Globe

Lori Dorn
June 19, 2026

Comedians Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones of Map Men quite amusingly explored the historical context and challenges faced by Ferdinand Magellan and Francis Drake, the first two explorers to attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

Two voyages One was an absolute disaster and the other was an absolute disaster.

The hosts analyzed the geopolitical motivations of each journey, the logistical challenges faced, and the unintended discoveries that defined these perilous 16th-century circumnavigations.

Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.