Infinity Newsletter - No 49 - 1957 01

Magazine Overview

Title: INFINITY
Issue: #49 (Winter Issue, Jan.-Mar. 1957)
Publisher: BARLOW STUDIO & UFO-CENTER
Country: USA
Price: $0.50

This issue of INFINITY magazine, published by Barlow Studio & UFO-Center, focuses on UFO phenomena, space exploration, and related scientific and governmental activities in the mid-1950s. The cover headline, "IS SPACE TRAVEL ALREADY HERE ??", sets the tone for a publication deeply invested in the unknown aspects of space and potential extraterrestrial presence.

Key Articles and Reports

Congressional Committee for Extraterrestrial Exploration

The issue reports on January 14th that Representative Karsten (D-No.) introduced a bill to establish a "Joint Committee on Extraterrestrial Exploration." This committee would possess the power to hold hearings, hire consultants, and subpoena witnesses and documents, with nine members from the Senate and nine from the House.

Eisenhower's Outer Space Control

On January 10th, President Eisenhower called for "Mutual Control of OUTERspace Missiles and Satellites." The magazine questions whether this statement implies a broader control over "OUTERSPACE MISSILES AND SATELLITES" beyond current plans for satellites and space stations.

Rocket Test Disaster and UFO Patterns

An NBC report on January 26th detailed a rocket test disaster in Florida, speculated to be a 3-Stage Rocket, possibly destroyed to prevent it from reaching its destination. This is linked to a previous incident on December 5th where a similar object vanished. The magazine also presents a controversial claim that pilots have orders to shoot down UFOs for study, citing Ruppelt and Vermillion, and suggests that "Visitors" might have similar "orders."

The 'KEY' to UFO Appearances

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to explaining a "KEY" developed by the publication to predict UFO appearances. This system, based on the "Sun's Magnetic Equator" (S.M.E.), posits that UFOs travel along magnetic fields and appear in specific areas at certain times. The "KEY" outlines where the S.M.E. falls during different seasons and times of day (e.g., 40° parallel in the U.S. and Europe during summer months by day, South America, South Africa, and Australia during summer months by night). The article suggests this could even explain bird migration.

"A PATTERN" to the Plane Crashes

An article by Dave Vanwalter, building on previous reporting, claims a "Pattern" exists in the alarming number of aircraft crashes. It suggests a progression from civilian aircraft being forced to lose altitude, to mid-air collisions with unknown forces (possibly UFOs or Force-Rays), to the deliberate neutralization of engines and equipment. The author posits that these crashes are "deliberate WARNINGS" for humanity to cease venturing into space, possibly due to a desire for communication or a sensing of impending nuclear war. The article concludes by expressing faith in the US Air Force despite these perceived threats.

UFO Reports Section

Pages 3 and 4 are filled with a chronological list of "SOME INTERESTING U.F.O. REPORTS" from late 1956 and early 1957. These reports detail numerous sightings from various locations across the United States (Connecticut, South Dakota, North Dakota, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey) and internationally (England, Japan, Africa, New Zealand, Germany, Australia). The descriptions include details about the objects' shapes (Y-shaped, defined, green, red, yellow, oval, shapeless, diamond, pear-shaped, disc-shaped, sphere, saucer, cigar-shaped), colors, sizes, speeds, altitudes, and behaviors (hovering, gliding, changing color, moving erratically, disappearing).

• Notable reports include:
• A "Y"-shaped object in Middlebury, Conn., attributed to moonlight.
• A large, green UFO that changed color and glided down in Warren, Conn.
• A "terrific BLAST" in Middlebury, Conn.
• UFOs photographed by police in Pierre, North Dakota, hovering at low altitude.
• Numerous sightings during the "Dakota Flap" in late 1956.
• A large, metallic UFO hovering for five hours near South Dakota.
• Multiple sightings over London, England, including diamond shapes and a "starlike" object.
• Reports of UFOs affecting homing pigeons.
• An oval-shaped metallic object diving upon and disappearing from a commercial airliner near Vicksburg, Mississippi.
• A large, glowing object pursued by a fighter jet in England.
• A "mystery 'Blip' on radar sets" in England.
• A luminous, spindle-shaped UFO seen in Fiji.
• A UFO that changed color and went SW over Tokyo.

More News by Staff Reporters

• This section on page 6 provides a rapid-fire collection of news items related to science, military, and UFOs:
• Over 110 "announced Nuclear-Explosions" to date.
• Upcoming meteor showers (Lyrids, Eta Aquarids).
• A suggestion that UFO "Blobs" could be a new gaseous element created by nuclear experiments.
• The peak of "Sunspots" expected in 1957-1958.
• Announcement of new "VTO" (Vertical Takeoff) Aircraft: "Flying Bedsted" and "SC-1."
• Atomic-powered aircraft development.
• Speculation about the US having UFO Projects (UAO, UGO, UUO) within its services.
• Temperature estimates for Mars (-90° to 100° below Zero).
• Dr. Leon Davidson's analysis of the Bluebook Report, claiming it proved "UNKNOWNS were even HIGHER."
• A Flying-Saucer Jet Craft (RF84-F) crash.
• Reception of radio-waves from Mars and Venus by the Naval Research Laboratory.
• Advertising for the Salk-Vaccine.
• Reports of "Saucer Curtain" (government secrecy) and the magazine's ability to obtain "latest reports."
• The Gravity Research Foundation offering awards for essays on gravity manipulation.
• Giant, human-like tracks reported in Argentina.
• An estimated 200,000,000 meteors entering Earth's atmosphere daily.
• Chrysler engineers designing a "perfect Flying Saucer" as the best aerodynamic design for a future spaceship.
• A "floating Saucer" boat design.
• The "Lerp" insect blamed for UFO "Cobwebs."
• Russian plans for TV-Rockets to Mars, Venus, and the Moon.
• A "hoax suspected" SOS from the Hudson River.
• An "Abominable Snowman" expedition in Nepal.
• Operation Deep Freeze reporting a thaw in Antarctica.
• A monkey falling from the sky over San Francisco, possibly from a rocket test.
• New radio-telescopes being built worldwide.
• Russians hunting a large meteorite in the Arctic.
• Suspension of a nuclear-device test via captive balloon.
• Recovery of a top-secret briefcase.
• Discovery of a 45,000-mile crack in the ocean floor.
• Government expert predictions of violent storms in the Northeast.
• Scientists reporting the Equator might be out of position.
• British development of radiation-proof paint.

Unidentified-Underwater-Objects and Magnetic Fields

Reports of Unidentified-Underwater-Objects off Florida are linked to investigations into Russian submarines "Jamming" missile control. The magazine notes that the Russians reportedly have two missiles launchable from submarines. It also mentions IGY (International Geophysical Year) projects studying Earth's Magnetic-Field, including Operation-Deep-Freeze and Operation-Tan-Glove, suggesting these investigations are convenient for extensive UFO study.

Our Polluted World

This section highlights concerns about radioactive fallout from nuclear tests, stating that the maximum safe dosage of "Roentgens" over 30 years is 10. The article suggests that actual exposure could be higher, potentially leading to 6,000 babies born with handicaps per generation. It lists symptoms of radiation exposure and notes that yeast, proteins, vitamins, salt, and rest are helpful, while chilling, dampness, acids, infection, and worry are detrimental.

Special Offer and Publisher's Note

The magazine includes a "SPECIAL OFFER LIMITED TO UFO ORGANIZATIONS & PUBLICATIONS ONLY," proposing an exchange of free subscriptions and advertising space between "serious UFO Organizations." Houghton Barlow, President of Barlow Studio-UFO Center, encourages cooperation within the UFO research community.

Dave Vanwalter's "SCRAPBOOK ADVENTURES"

Dave Vanwalter shares his thoughts on an "Interplanetary-War" that he believes has begun, citing UFO activity in specific regions of the US. He lists numerous threats facing humanity, including World War 3, depression, UFOs, degeneracy, fallout, crime, pollution, growing icecaps, and juvenile delinquency. He also muses on the possibility of Mars being a tundra planet with similar geological features to Earth's tundra and wonders if nuclear bombs could trigger a "Nova" of the Sun.

Vanwalter also compiles "Fortean ODDITIES," a collection of unusual events such as electric rays, disc-shaped objects, strange voices interrupting TV, radioactive gas leaks, tornadoes, a child jamming a doctor with a needle, large hailstones, "Orphan Viruses," monkeys mimicking government officials, fires continuing to blaze, trees growing backward, police killing bystanders, "Super Train" bugs, tidal waves, ghost activity, stolen Santas, and more.

Letters to the Editor

Letters include a reader recalling the magazine's previous title, "The Planet," and inquiries about ordering back issues. The publisher, Haughton Barlow, explains that most back issues are unavailable except for file copies, but information will reappear in a new chronological column. He also mentions a disagreement with his publisher regarding the format of a book he was writing, preferring a "serious Textbook" over "Sensationalizing."

Next Issue Preview

The upcoming issue promises a "STARTLING FACTS!!!" article, described as the "most Important and Daring Article ever published," claiming to reveal "THE SECRET BASES OF THE UFO" that other researchers were allegedly "SILENCED" for discovering. It is presented as an "Exclusive SCOOP!" and potentially the magazine's "LAST Issue."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

INFINITY consistently promotes a pro-UFO and pro-research stance, encouraging readers to stay informed about "IMPORTANT RESEARCH," "IMPENDING DANGER," and "HOPE FOR THE FUTURE." The magazine positions itself as a source of vital facts that other media outlets are afraid to print due to fear of losing advertising and patronage. It emphasizes its long history of investigating and reporting on UFOs and other unusual phenomena without making "fantastic claims." The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief in a hidden reality concerning UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence, and potential threats to humanity, including nuclear war and environmental pollution. There is a strong emphasis on the need for cooperation among UFO researchers and organizations. The magazine also displays a deep concern for the potential dangers of nuclear technology and its environmental consequences.