1967 12 00 Playboy - Hynek

Magazine Overview

This issue of Playboy, dated December 1967, is subtitled 'ENTERTAINMENT FOR MEN' and carries a cover price of $1.25. The cover features a psychedelic illustration of a woman's head with voluminous green hair against a purple background, with orange text announcing 'PLAYBOY' and 'CHRISTMAS GALA'. The main article, titled 'THE UFO GAP', is written by J. Allen Hynek, an American ufologist and astronomer, who is described as 'just back from an international astronomers' conference behind the iron curtain'.

The UFO Gap by J. Allen Hynek

J. Allen Hynek opens the article with his apprehension that the Russians might announce a solution to the UFO mystery, which he believes would be a significant event for America, even more so than the launch of Sputnik. He notes that officially, Russian scientists have claimed the UFO problem does not exist, with one delegate humorously asking why UFOs aren't buzzing over Prague if they exist. However, Hynek reveals that some clues suggest actual Soviet study of the problem, including an admission from a Russian astronomer in Prague and a recent article in the youth magazine 'Cmena' by Felix U. Zigel. This article stated that the Soviet Union is preparing a book-length study called 'Inhabited Cosmos', with Zigel himself contributing a chapter on the UFO problem. Zigel's article concludes that a definite type of phenomenon known as UFOs exists, its nature is unresolved, and no current hypothesis offers a final solution, suggesting a scientific approach is needed.

Hynek expresses his belief, based on 'hard' information and intuition, that the USSR has been studying UFOs thoroughly for years, while the United States is only now beginning to seriously consider the problem. He recounts his own involvement with the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book starting in 1948, where he initially dismissed UFO reports as nonsense. Over the years, however, he encountered cases that defied simple explanation. He criticizes the limited resources and personnel dedicated to the investigation by the Air Force, noting that a large, well-staffed UFO research group should have been established much earlier.

Hynek states that he has analyzed over 15,000 UFO reports, with about 90 percent being readily identifiable objects (IFOs). Of the remaining 10 percent, he divides them into those from reasonably reliable observers and those from 'oddballs'. He concludes that at least 1000 UFO reports remain unresolved in his mind, warranting professional investigation. He questions why the government has been slow to reach the same conclusion, noting that the popular attitude among scientists was one of derision, viewing UFOs as a product of 'post-War nerves'.

He argues that UFOs, unlike phenomena studied in laboratories, require a different approach. He suggests that the evidence may indicate a connection with extraterrestrial life, and if such life exists, communication with it could be critical to human survival. However, he clarifies that extraterrestrial intelligence and the UFO phenomenon might be distinct. He proposes a scientific approach to study UFOs, suggesting the formation of a special commission, like the Condon committee appointed by the Air Force. Hynek outlines a scheme involving two panels: a physical science panel to assign a 'strangeness index' (S) to reports based on the difficulty of finding a scientific explanation, and a credibility panel (C) to assess the trustworthiness of witnesses through their medical history, psychological traits, and background.

Hynek provides examples of IFOs, such as a bright object in Wisconsin identified as Venus, a KC-97 aircraft in New Hampshire, and the satellite Echo I. He then presents 'high S' reports that lack conventional explanations. He recounts a personal experience in Oklahoma where a bright, fast-moving light caused extreme fear. He also includes a report from an air base in Alaska of a rapidly ascending object and an excerpt about a bright orange light seen in the sky.

He emphasizes that the credibility panel's task is more complex, requiring an assessment of witnesses' reliability in everyday matters and their capacity for misinterpretation. He discusses factors like repetition, psychological tendencies, and the substitution of interpretation for fact. He also touches upon the difficulty of dealing with 'repeaters' and individuals with persecution complexes.

Hynek advocates for an 'active' rather than 'passive' approach to UFO investigation. He suggests that obtaining unimpeachable photographs would be crucial, representing incontrovertible scientific evidence. He also proposes establishing a central UFO center with a 24-hour telephone exchange (UFO-1000) to receive reports and dispatch technical teams equipped with cameras and other recording devices to 'hot' areas identified by electronic computer analysis of geographical distribution. He believes such a concerted effort could yield photographs, movies, and measurements within a year. If the intensive study yields nothing, it would at least provide a definitive negative result. He concludes with optimism, suggesting that mankind might be on the verge of a great adventure.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the serious scientific investigation of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine, through Hynek's article, adopts a stance that UFOs are a legitimate subject for scientific inquiry, challenging the prevailing skepticism among scientists and government agencies. It advocates for a proactive, data-driven approach to uncover the truth behind these unexplained sightings, suggesting that the Soviet Union might be ahead of the United States in this endeavor. The issue also carries a Christmas theme, evident on the cover and likely in other content not detailed here.