Popular Science

Magazine Overview

Title: Popular Science
Issue: May 1952
Volume: 160
Date: May 1952
Publisher: Popular Science Publishing Co., Inc.
Country: USA
Price: 25c

This issue of Popular Science features an in-depth article titled "Flying Saucers Are Old Stuff," which explores the historical context of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings, demonstrating that such phenomena have been reported for centuries, not just in the modern era.

Flying Saucers Are Old Stuff

The main article, written by Robert L. Unger, a technical writer for the Republic Aviation Corp., posits that flying saucers, or similar aerial phenomena, have been observed and reported in consistent terms for centuries. Unger, inspired by the research of Charles Fort, a writer who died in 1932, has collected approximately 300 reports of these sightings, with the earliest dating back to the late eighteenth century. He found that many reports, even those from ancient times, share striking similarities with contemporary accounts.

Early Historical Accounts

The article highlights several historical incidents:

• 1872: Captain Frederick William Banner of the British sailing ship *Lady of the Lake* reported a "most curious-shaped cloud" that was circular, light gray, and luminous. It moved against the wind, hovered, and displayed strange markings before disappearing. His report was discussed and dismissed as unexplainable by the Royal Meteorological Society.
• 1886: A young man in Wales reported a group of objects he called meteors that traveled together.
• 1904: Lieutenant F. H. Schofield, aboard a U.S. Navy supply vessel, observed three luminous objects, described as meteors, that moved rapidly, soared upward at a steep angle, and then moved away from the earth. The largest object was egg-shaped, and the others were round, with sizes estimated relative to the sun.
• 1882: A professional British astronomer reported seeing a "great circular disk of greenish light" that moved smoothly and steadily across the sky, appearing as an elongated ellipse or "cigar-shaped" object.

Modern Sightings and Scientific Perspectives

The article connects these historical accounts to more recent events, such as the "Lubbock Lights" incident in Lubbock, Texas, in 1951. These were described as mysterious groups of luminous spots seen traveling noiselessly in a V-shaped formation at tremendous speed. The author notes that while many recent sightings are attributed to weather balloons, an Air Force spokesman admitted that some reports remain unexplained, leading the Air Force to continue its study of the phenomenon.

Unger categorizes flying saucer reports into three main types: disks, cigar-shaped objects, and fast-moving, inexplicable lights. He, along with rocket designer Dr. Walther Riedel and aerodynamicist Dr. Maurice A. Biot, believes these sightings are evidence of visitations from other worlds. They suggest these craft might be radio-controlled and equipped with technology for observation.

The Legacy of Charles Fort

Charles Fort, described as a half-scientific writer and half-mystic, dedicated his work to collecting and documenting unexplained phenomena, including strange aerial occurrences. His research, spanning hundreds of scientific journals from the sixteenth century onwards, laid the groundwork for Unger's more recent investigation into flying saucer reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the article is the long-standing nature of flying saucer reports, challenging the notion that they are a purely modern phenomenon. The editorial stance, as presented through Unger's research and the inclusion of scientific opinions, suggests an open-minded approach to unexplained aerial phenomena, acknowledging that while some sightings can be explained, a significant portion remains a mystery that warrants continued investigation. The article implies that these sightings are not isolated incidents but part of a historical pattern of human observation of the unexplained in the sky.