Fortean Society Magazine - No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Fortean Magazine, dated October 1937, is the second volume of its first issue. It presents a collection of articles and reports focusing on anomalous phenomena, scientific skepticism, and unusual events, reflecting the Fortean Society's interest in the unexplained and the critique of conventional scientific dogma.

Lightning Develops Amazing Marksmanship in 1937

This lead article details numerous incidents of lightning strikes occurring in August 1937. It highlights lightning's seemingly precise and destructive capabilities, describing how bolts split into multiple prongs, struck widely separated locations simultaneously, and caused significant damage and injury. Examples include a bolt that killed a child and injured others at Rockaway Beach, another that struck an apartment building cornice, and instances of lightning hitting beach umbrellas and igniting stoves. The article also notes cases of lightning striking trees under which people sought shelter, and a horizontal lightning flash in the Bronx that knocked down two men, one of whom suffered memory loss and had his eyeglasses melted.

Further incidents include lightning striking a horse during a race in Saratoga Springs, New York, killing one horse and stunning ten others, and a man being electrocuted in Jersey City after lightning jumped from a high-tension wire. In New York, a man was frozen to a subway handrail by an electric current, and police officers were affected. A man in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, described a sensation of being stabbed by a million needles after being struck while holding a ground wire. The article also notes the unusual phenomenon of eight starlings falling dead simultaneously in mid-air over Fifth Avenue, believed to be electrocuted.

Other Electrical and Unusual Phenomena

The issue continues to report on various strange occurrences. A 9-year-old boy in Flemington, New Jersey, was killed by lightning striking a tree. A boy swimmer, aged 12, was killed by lightning, which also destroyed his metal belt buckle. The Edison Memorial in Menlo Park, New Jersey, a 130-foot steel shaft, was demolished by a lightning bolt. The article notes that 1,000,000 gallons of crude oil were ablaze for twelve hours after being struck by lightning in New Hope, Pennsylvania. In Belmar, New Jersey, a man was instantly killed by lightning after seeking shelter under a maple tree, which was struck along with a nearby locust tree.

Other reports include a man freezing to an electric drill on a construction job in Crete, Nebraska, due to a short circuit, and a lightning strike completely destroying a Dutch Reformed Church in Lebanon, New Jersey. In Pittsburgh, two golfers and two caddies were killed by lightning at a golf club. The cross was knocked off the roof of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church in Jersey City by lightning. The article notes this as the third church strike, remarking on the 'remarkable marksmanship.'

The Tides of New York Harbor

This section presents a chart comparing actual tide levels in New York Harbor from June 25 to July 25, 1937, with predictions from the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The data is presented for Forteans to examine the theory that tides are caused by the moon. Arrows on the chart indicate the probable direction of the tidal current. The article states that the chart is for Forteans who are not content with the simple explanation of lunar causation and warns away those who are.

Earhart – Noonan

This piece revisits the trans-Pacific flights of the China-Clippers, noting their reliance on radio navigation. It contrasts this with a flight by Kingsford-Smith and Ulm in the Southern Cross, which landed near Brisbane, Australia. The article highlights a landing at Suva in the Fijis and mentions a flight across 'Thayer's Line.' It quotes a passage from the National Geographic Magazine describing the view from the plane, the Southern Cross, and a moment when the navigator, Lyon, set a new course directly for Suva at midnight, suggesting this course correction, possibly a few degrees to the west, saved the lives aboard.

Post-Rogers Fatality

This brief section references the crash of Wiley Post and Will Rogers, suggesting that 'eczema' might have been the cause, rather than the more commonly cited reasons. It mentions an 'abrasive substance' found in the plane's motor after Post was forced down from the stratosphere, questioning if the oil was searched after the crash.

More Bullets in the Air

This section reports on incidents of 'shots' being fired at the Navy blimp ZMC-2, noting that this was the third time since 1928 that the ship had been targeted by snipers. It also mentions an engineer, Spencer Bransby, who was shot through the brain at a rifle range in Hastings, England, by a stray bullet from one of five shooters, with the bullet not being found.

Wrinch's Molecule

This short piece discusses the 'mapping' of the protein molecule and the creation of a three-dimensional model displayed at a Eucharistical Congress in Nottingham, England. The article implies a lack of full understanding or completeness in the reporting of this scientific advancement.

Do You Understand English?

This section presents an excerpt from Isabel M. Lewis's article in 'Nature' (August 1930) about an eclipse. It quotes Lewis and James Robertson, Director of the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac, discussing the accuracy of eclipse predictions. The passage highlights how the predicted path of an eclipse was revised and how subsequent observations proved the revised figures to be correct to the second, suggesting a humorous or ironic take on scientific precision.

Tolman Under the Microscope

This section mentions that William S. Barton, Science Editor of the Los Angeles Times, eulogized Dr. Richard Chace Tolman for his sense of humor and inclination to dissent. The Secretary of The Fortean Society offers to send Fort's books to Tolman for comment. The article also references Charles Fitzhugh Talman, who declined to express an opinion on Fort's books to a Fortean.

They Teach Minds to Kneel (by Tiffany Thayer)

Tiffany Thayer critiques the modern educational system and the glorification of science. She argues that education is used as a tool for propaganda, instilling hate and patriotism, and that science is presented as the ultimate achievement of humanity, placing scientists above all else. Thayer contrasts the grandeur of modern scientific instruments, like the 200-inch telescope, with Galileo's simpler tools, questioning the narrative of progress. She criticizes the 'bourgeoise ideology' and the 'debasement of learning,' suggesting that science serves Capital and perpetuates a complex delusion. Thayer calls for a focus on saving human intelligence rather than human lives, lamenting the flattering nature of scientific self-promotion and the difficulty in promoting the idea of universal ignorance and stupidity.

T. Swann Harding Joins Forteans

This announcement states that T. Swann Harding, author of 'FRAUD! -THE DEGRADATION OF SCIENCE' and 'THE JOY OF IGNORANCE,' has joined the Fortean Society. Harding's work is noted for including data on hens and pigeons changing sexes, and he is expected to contribute further observations.

A Scientist Goes Sane!

This section humorously discusses Professor W. C. Allee, of the University of Chicago, for suggesting in 'The World and Man' that the division of the animal kingdom into invertebrates and vertebrates is arbitrary and based on humans being vertebrates. The article suggests Allee is dangerously close to heresy for questioning established scientific classifications.

British Correspondence (by Eric F. Russell)

Eric F. Russell reports on various incidents from Britain. He notes inquests on two men who fell to their deaths from buildings, with one ruled a suicide and the other an open verdict. A girl fell 60 feet from a department store, and a young woman was found dying of starvation on a beach, wearing only one shoe. Russell also mentions successful brain surgeries where frontal lobes were removed without apparent loss of mental faculty, recalling similar reports from the United States. He notes that Vaslav Nijinsky, the famous dancer, showed signs of recovery after years in a sanatorium, responding to music. An explosion at a knitting factory in Crewe injured three women, shattering windows and doors. A Yugoslav mechanic named Robert Sottler invented a 'cloud-walker' device that allows users to rise 900 feet vertically using pedals and a wheel.

Further reports include an Australian aborigine dying after a 'death bone' was pointed at him, and a discussion on the 'pillar of fire' during the Exodus, with correspondence debating volcanic activity in Sinai and the parting of the Red Sea. The article also touches on the idea of natural laws versus divine intervention, citing instances like manna, quails, and earthquakes as perceived divine acts.

Flies and Colors (by Faber Birren)

Faber Birren discusses observations from England, France, Denmark, and zoos regarding insects' apparent aversion to certain colors, particularly blue. He questions whether insects truly see colors as humans do, referencing Darwin and Von Frisch's research on bees seeing blue and yellow but not red or green. Birren suggests that arthropods may be color-blind and have different visual ranges. He notes that some flowers reflect ultraviolet light, which butterflies can see but humans cannot, and that ants seem to avoid ultraviolet light while preferring red. Birren speculates that factors other than color, such as fluorescent paints or invisible ultraviolet radiation, might influence insect behavior, and that their vision differs significantly from human vision.

To Determine Time

This section provides instructions on how to determine local time for astronomical events by first finding the exact longitude of the observation point and then locating the nearest point on a map where designated degree lines pass.

The Planets and Occultations

This section provides a calendar of planetary conjunctions, heliacentric positions, and perihelions for October 1937. It also includes a table of lunar occultations, listing the date, star, magnitude, time of immersion, and visible locations (New York, Chicago, Washington, California) for each event. The data is presented using Greenwich Civil Time.

Where Does Motion Go?

This section presents a visual comparison of six images labeled 'Lightning,' 'Roots,' 'Rivers,' 'Veins,' 'Nerves,' and 'Cracks.' The accompanying text suggests that 'Motion follows the course of least resistance.' It poses Charles Fort's question about the course of least resistance and how to know it. The images are presented in connection with the lightning stories, implying a thematic link between the branching patterns of lightning and natural structures or systems. The Secretary suggests invoking the 'law' of probability.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the uncanny and often destructive power of natural forces, particularly lightning, presented with a sense of wonder and a search for underlying patterns. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards established science, its pronouncements, and its practitioners, often portrayed as dogmatic or self-serving. The magazine champions the Fortean approach of collecting and examining anomalous data without imposing conventional explanations. The editorial stance is one of encouraging critical thinking, questioning authority, and exploring the 'damned' or unexplained aspects of reality, often with a touch of dark humor and a literary flair.

This issue of The Fortean, dated October 1937, is a compilation of unusual phenomena, scientific observations, and historical accounts, presented in the magazine's characteristic style. It features a cover story on B. J. S. Cahill's 'Butterfly Map,' an alternative projection of the Earth.

Astronomical Calculations and Observations

The issue begins with a detailed explanation of how to calculate the visibility of an occultation, emphasizing the need to adjust local time based on longitude relative to standard time zones. It also touches upon astronomical events like the opposition of Mars and the appearance of comets and meteors, referencing historical records.

Earthquakes and Natural Phenomena

Several significant earthquakes are reported, including severe shocks in Manila on August 20, 1937, which damaged buildings and caused injuries, and a strong quake in Fairbanks, Alaska on August 22nd. A 'very large' earthquake was also recorded near Berkeley on September 3rd. The issue notes a peculiar solar phenomenon observed in Ontario, Canada, where the sun's appearance varied, with reports of rings, rainbows, and a black center, which mystified meteorological officials.

Scientific News and Theories

The magazine critiques the sensationalist approach often found in scientific reporting, using Waldemar Kaempffert of The New York Times as an example. It also discusses H. G. Wells's views on education and presents theories on Earth's composition, including the nebular hypothesis and the debate over whether the Earth's substance is crystalline or glassy. Julian Huxley's early scientific ideas are also mentioned.

Explorers and Expeditions

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to listing the activities of various explorers and expeditions. These include reports on the MacMillan and Washburn expeditions, the Goodwin expedition searching for mammals, and numerous other parties involved in hunting, scientific research, and exploration in diverse locations such as the Cassiar Mountains, Grand Canyon, British New Guiana, and the Arctic.

Historical Fortean Notes

The 'Notes of Charles Fort' section provides a chronological compilation of historical events, primarily focusing on natural phenomena. Entries range from 1810 to 1814 and detail various occurrences such as violent submarine eruptions off the Azores, stonefalls, red rain, unusual snowfalls, meteorites, comets, and numerous earthquakes and volcanic activities across different parts of the world. These notes are presented with brief commentary and references to contemporary publications.

Specific Incidents and Reports

• Earthquakes: Detailed accounts of earthquakes in Manila, Alaska, Berkeley, Ponce, and other locations are provided, with dates and descriptions of their impact.
• Solar Phenomena: The appearance of the sun in Ontario is described, with officials baffled by the variations observed.
• Scientific Theories: Discussions on Earth's formation and composition, including the nebular hypothesis and crystalline structure debates.
• Exploration: A comprehensive list of expeditions, including their locations, objectives, and findings.
• Historical Records: Extensive entries from the 'Notes of Charles Fort' cataloging past natural and unexplained events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights unusual and unexplained phenomena, often questioning conventional scientific explanations and reporting methods. There is a recurring interest in historical accounts of natural disasters, astronomical events, and peculiar occurrences. The editorial stance appears to favor the collection and presentation of anomalous data, encouraging readers to consider phenomena that fall outside mainstream scientific understanding. The magazine also exhibits a critical view of established scientific institutions and their pronouncements, often with a touch of skepticism or irony.