Marco POLO was an Italian merchant, explorer, and writer who lived during the 13th century. He is best known for his extensive travels throughout Asia, which he documented in his book 'The Travels of Marco POLO'. The term 'Marco POLO' has become synonymous with exploration and adventure, and the term 'POLO' is often used to refer to the game of the same name, which is believed to have been invented by Marco POLO during his travels.