Doubt - No 43

Magazine Overview

DOUBT: The Fortean Society Magazine, Vol. II, Whole Number 43

This issue of DOUBT, edited by Tiffany Thayer, presents a collection of articles and reports that delve into the unusual, the unexplained, and the often-overlooked aspects of science and society. The magazine maintains its characteristic Fortean perspective, questioning conventional explanations and highlighting phenomena that defy easy categorization. The cover features a quote from Emerson, "Science does not know its debt to imagination," and an illustration titled "SCIENCE-PEERING-UNDER THE SURFACE-OF-THINGS," setting the tone for the content within.

Contents and Key Articles

First Prize

This section, curated by the editor, presents a series of brief, often humorous, anecdotes and news items that highlight the absurdities and peculiarities of everyday life and scientific claims. Notable items include:

• A storekeeper in Colorado who dealt with a 'ticking' can of tomato juice by burying and then shooting it.
• An alleged suicide attempt by a woman who froze to death in Chicago, by drinking iodine.
• A new device for tagging house flies, significantly increasing the number that can be tagged per day.
• The unintended consequences of introducing cannibalistic flies into Canberra, Australia, to combat local flies, resulting in a larger, aggressive hybrid.
• A five-year-old girl earning $3.00 for modeling but facing a loyalty oath requirement to receive payment.
• Van Camp Laboratories' proposal to experiment with extracting vitamin B-12 from sewage sludge in Los Angeles.
• An incident in Bicester, Oxon, where a plane passing overhead caused an explosion that injured two young children.
• An Air Force jet spraying bullets over a Pennsylvania town due to a malfunctioning firing device.
• A suspected bomb explosion in Lincolnshire, England, after a missile was dropped from the air.
• A 500-pound box of electronic equipment falling from the sky in St. Paul, Minnesota, without a parachute.

Smog and Atmospheric Phenomena

Several reports detail instances of unusual atmospheric conditions and their potential causes, often linking them to atomic testing.

• NYC Smog (November 27 - December 3, FS): The magazine dismisses the official explanation of industrial pollution and 'inverted' temperatures, suggesting the smog was a result of bomb tests.
• Radioactivity Test in Troy, NY: The Atomic Energy Commission hired researchers to investigate radioactivity in the Troy-Albany area, confirming 'fallouts' from atomic explosions in Nevada.
• London Smogs: Reports from January 1951 and 1953 describe severe smogs that caused thousands of deaths, attributed to a mix of low clouds, smoke, and sulphuric acid.
• Vancouver, B.C. (April 3, 1953): Radioactive dust from a Nevada atomic explosion fell in British Columbia, though it was stated to be harmless.
• Dana, California (April 20, 1953): A recurrence of 'smarting, blistering, blue snow' is noted, with no scientific explanation.
• Western New York State (April 23, 1953): A fall of 'gritty mud' in pellets, attributed by a federal meteorologist to a 'light rain fell through a dust cloud.'
• Marshall, Texas (May 18, 1953): An airliner crashed after flying into an 'ominous-looking black cloud.'
• Zurich, Switzerland (August 10, 1953): Professor Harold Urey stated that H-bomb explosions should be detectable from radioactivity in the air.
• Almagordo, New Mexico: Tours to the bomb crater are announced, with surrounding desert planted with grass to prevent radioactive dust from blowing.
• Boston (September 7, 1953): A silt-like substance fell, covering cars and streets, causing coughing spasms.
• Los Angeles: The city is described as being inured to constant smog.
• Unionville, N.J. (October 2, 1953): A new device to automatically collect air samples was implemented due to complaints.
• Canberra, Australia (October 16, 1953): Radioactive dust clouds reached the city from a bomb test, though the concentration was deemed not dangerous.

Other Unexplained Phenomena and Curiosities

• Atomic Secrecy: Dr. Ralph Lapp is quoted questioning the notion that atomic secrecy aided the Soviet Union, suggesting H-bomb destruction would be limited.
• "Wonders of the Universe": A piece discusses atomic waste disposal, suggesting rockets to send it into 'space' or just outside Earth's gravity.
• Medical Anomalies: Reports include a death attributed to natural causes after an operation, and a discussion on the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches for neurotic disorders, with psychoanalysis showing the lowest improvement rate.
• Microwave Therapy: A report from Sweden details the use of microwave irradiation for treating patients, with potential side effects.
• Brain Surgery with Sound Waves: Dr. Peter Lindstrom's use of sound waves for pain relief in cancer cases is described.
• Criminality and Psychiatry: Dr. Karl Menninger suggests that psychiatric examinations could prevent much crime.
• "Toposcope" Machine: A British device is mentioned that supposedly indicates anti-social tendencies in children before they manifest.
• Fortean Losses: The issue notes the deaths of the Duke of Bedford, John G. Scott (publisher of MONEY), and Bert Taylor, all characterized by their independence.

Flying Saucers and Interplanetary Travel

This section addresses the growing public and governmental interest in flying saucers.

• Mexican Air Force Involvement: Colonel Carlos R. Berzunza of the Mexican Air Force takes the 'saucer' phenomenon seriously, citing findings from Mount Palomar Observatory and claiming the discovery of a wrecked interplanetary flying apparatus.
• Canadian Government: The Department of Transport and National Defense Research Board have established a 'lookout laboratory' to monitor the skies.
• British Interest: While officialdom is hesitant, the press is actively discussing the topic. Sir Harold Spencer Jones, Astronomer Royal, stated Earth was safe from aggression from planets in our system, but other systems were a possibility.
• Arthur C. Clarke: A proponent of space flight, Clarke argues that it is no longer a matter of fiction but a reality.
• "Moon-based Men Land on Mars": A headline from The Star suggests this topic.
• Yorkshire Scientist: Anthony Avenel claims he can build 'the world's first space station' for a significant cost.
• U.S. Air Force Space Medicine: Dr. Jack E. Myers is tasked with determining factors for incorporating an oxygen-producing apparatus into a spaceship.
• "Operation UFO": An article by Captain Walter Karig discusses the U.S. Navy's perspective on UFOs, citing an incident where a plane was 'buzzed' by a UFO.
• YS's Stance: The magazine reiterates its position that the 'New Way' of interplanetary defense is a dodge to replace traditional warfare, and that its own research has been foundational to these developments.

Military and Scientific Spending

Several items highlight significant government and military expenditures on projects, some of which are related to space or defense.

• Army Lie Detector Purchase: The Army ordered 74 'lie detectors' for $99,000.
• Dr. Fritz Zwicky's Project: Cal-Tech requests $10,000 for a project involving shooting projectiles from a balloon to test their impact on celestial bodies.
• W. J. Eckert's Astronomical Work: A new system for automatic star image measurement and recording is developed.
• Weather Forecasting: Advances in weather models and computations are noted.
• U.S. Navy Oil Search: The Navy spent approximately $52,500,000.00 searching for oil near Cape Barrow, Alaska.
• Army Mathematicians: Discoveries that standard Earth dimensions are inaccurate for long-range guided missiles.
• U.S. Air Force Cameras: Installation of 75 expensive cameras to monitor the sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of DOUBT continues its established editorial stance, characterized by skepticism towards official explanations, a focus on unexplained phenomena, and a critical view of government and military spending. The magazine champions the legacy of Charles Fort, emphasizing his research as the foundation for understanding the 'New Way' of scientific inquiry and societal trends. There is a consistent theme of questioning authority and conventional wisdom, particularly regarding scientific claims, government pronouncements, and the burgeoning interest in space exploration and UFOs. The editor, Tiffany Thayer, and the contributors consistently highlight anomalies and curiosities, encouraging readers to look beyond the surface of accepted realities. The magazine also expresses concern over the potential dangers of atomic testing and the increasing militarization of scientific endeavors.

This issue, titled "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT," is a compilation of historical records related to anomalous phenomena, primarily UFO sightings and other unexplained events, drawn from the extensive manuscript notes of Charles Fort. The content is presented chronologically, with entries spanning from the early 1800s through the mid-1950s. The publication aims to present these records as meticulously gathered by Fort, alternating between 'non-human phenomena' and 'records of persons' as organized in his personal filing system of 32 boxes.

Key Articles and Content

Huble Dies

The issue begins with a brief obituary for Dr. Edwin Powell Hubble, Chairman of the joint Mount Wilson-Palomar Research Committee and father of the 'White Elephant,' who died of a heart attack on September 28, 1953.

New Monster

This section notes that Lick Observatory is publicizing its new 120-inch mirror, a $2.5 million investment. It quotes a Times editorial from October 2, 1953, suggesting that 'Science progresses by engaging in seemingly useless tasks,' and offers a wry comment that 'progresses' might better be replaced by 'pays off.'

Nominations

This section lists nominations for 'Named Fellow, 23 FS,' with a deadline of January 26. Nominees include Frank Edwards (radio commentator), Harry Hale Purvis (for advertising World Peace), Robert M. Hutchins (former president of the University of Chicago), and Mr. and Mrs. William N. Turner (for educating their children at home).

On Your Toes

This brief item encourages readers to be aware of Mary H. Weik, touring the U.S. on behalf of the U.S. Central Registry, International Registry of World Citizens. It provides an address in Cincinnati, Ohio, for those wishing to register and mentions a subscription to 'The World Citizen.' The publication states it cannot 'register' itself but leaves the decision to the reader's conscience.

Two Museums Blush

This section recounts two incidents: a museum in Jefferson City, Missouri, admitted to displaying a Japanese toy whistle as an 'Aztec Indian relic' for 25 years. It also touches on the Piltdown Man, suggesting the British Museum is reconsidering its authenticity and that the skull might be an 'elaborate hoax.' A Dr. Alvin Marston is mentioned as claiming the ape-jaw is older than the rest of the head.

Hole in Saucers

This is a detailed chronological listing of UFO sightings and related events, primarily from 1950 and 1951, with some earlier entries. Each entry includes a date, location, and a brief description, often noting the source (e.g., UP, AP, Reuters, local newspapers) and how the object was identified or described (e.g., 'saucer,' 'meteor,' 'fireball,' 'bright object'). Notable entries include sightings in South Africa, the U.S., Canada, France, and Australia. It also references previous issues of 'DOUBT' for further details.

More Notes of Charles Fort

This extensive section forms the core of the issue, continuing the chronological presentation of Charles Fort's manuscript notes. It covers a vast array of phenomena, including:

• Meteors and Astronomical Events: Numerous reports of meteors, meteor showers (like the Leonids), and unusual celestial lights are detailed, often with specific times, locations, and observations from scientific or amateur sources (e.g., BA reports, Nature, Cosmos).
• Atmospheric Phenomena: Descriptions of aurora borealis, unusual fog, colored snow (attributed to dust or pollen), and strange lights are included.
• Geological and Weather Events: Reports of earthquakes (quakes), violent storms, and unusual weather patterns like hail the size of coconuts are documented.
• Biological Anomalies: Accounts of strange insect swarms, the appearance of 'red snow' containing minute particles, and the discovery of small worms resembling maggots after a heavy thunderstorm are presented.
• Specific Incidents: The notes detail specific events such as vessels running ashore due to 'false lights' at Whitburn, England, and apparatus found with instructions to return to Holloman Air Force Base.
• Skepticism and Explanations: Some entries note official explanations or skeptical viewpoints, such as the 'false lights' being reflections, or objects being identified as balloons, kites, or even 'unripe oranges.'
• Sources: The notes cite a wide variety of sources, including newspapers (e.g., Sydney Morning Herald, New York Daily News, Manchester Guardian), scientific journals (e.g., Nature, Cosmos, BA reports), and personal correspondence.

Like Us

This section includes a quote from Aneurin Bevan, reported by AP from Coventry, England, criticizing the British press for being 'power papers' used for indoctrination rather than news. It suggests that Britons are better off with papers like the Manchester Guardian and Liverpool Echo, contrasting them with U.S. dailies. It also recommends 'WORLD INTERPRETER,' a bi-weekly news letter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the meticulous collection and presentation of anomalous phenomena, the skepticism surrounding official explanations, and the sheer volume and diversity of unexplained events throughout history. The editorial stance, implied through the presentation of Fort's notes, is one of open inquiry into the unexplained, encouraging readers to consider evidence that falls outside conventional scientific or societal understanding. The publication acts as an archivist of the strange, providing raw data for readers to interpret, while subtly highlighting the limitations of conventional explanations and the potential for 'other' phenomena to exist. The inclusion of advertisements for Fortean literature, such as "America NEEDS Indians" and "The Books of CHARLES FORT," further reinforces the publication's dedication to promoting Fortean thought and investigation.