A. F. Tschiffely was born into an old Swiss family in Bern in 1895 where he was educated and became a teacher. An adventurer at heart, he left Switzerland to teach in England in his early 20s, but found a new passion as a professional footballer and boxer. He then moved to Buenos Aires where he settled into teaching again, at St. George's College, Quilmes, and later as the temporary headmaster of the Buenos Aires English High School, but still found time on long vacations for adventures riding horses and exploring the surrounding pampas.

In late 1910, three American adventurers set off on a remarkable around-the-world journey by automobile. Sponsored by the Hupp Motor Car Corporation, the trip was intended to publicize the durability of the Hupmobile and help stimulate export sales.

Gaston Stiegler journaliste au Matin, parti de Paris le 29 mai 1901 à 01h50 du soir, put abaisser le record de Phileas Fogg à 63 jours et 16 heures. Il fut plus heureux que son adversaire Henri Turot, parti dans l'autre sens. Toutefois, comme le fit remarquer Jules Verne, "aujourd'hui ce n'est plus une affaire de tourner ainsi, commodément installé dans un wagon, autour du monde".