The Roundhouse

Magazine Overview

Title: The Roundhouse
Issue Date: October 1954
Volume: 3
Issue Number: 12
Price: 25 Cents
Publisher: Neal Kearney
Country of Publication: U. S. A.

This issue of "The Roundhouse" presents a collection of articles exploring speculative and unusual topics, including theories on space travel, prophetic visions, and scientific observations. The magazine is published by Neal Kearney, who also serves as editor, with Gladys Kearney as associate editor. The cover tagline, "The Strange & Unusual," accurately reflects the content.

Articles and Content

"The Quest" by Darold Powers (Pages 3-5)

This article speculates on the nature of space travel and propulsion. Powers suggests that space ships and saucers might not require conventional propulsion but could instead utilize invisible waves, such as light and energy waves or cosmic rays. He draws an analogy to sailplanes that fly on air waves. The concept of a "first vibration" is introduced as a potential universal force that could be harnessed for travel across vast distances. The article also touches upon the varying speeds of travel, comparing light speed (186,000 m.p.s., with laboratory speeds up to 202,000 m.p.s.) to the slower acceleration of an object falling to Earth due to gravity (seven m.p.s. as it hits the atmosphere). A comparison is made to a tracked saucer speed of 42,000 m.p.h., suggesting gravity alone cannot explain such speeds. The role of the Earth's atmosphere in screening radiation and altering waves is also considered, along with the possibility that smaller saucers might use Earth's magnetic fields or even jets/rockets for propulsion. The author references Desmond Leslie's work, suggesting ancient ancestors used sound vibrations for propulsion, a knowledge that "space friends" might also possess. The article concludes with a call for open-mindedness regarding intelligent life in the universe.

"An Amazing Prophecy (sequel)" (Pages 6-7)

This piece, presented as a sequel to a previous article, uses a theatrical metaphor to describe a prophetic vision. It posits that humanity plays roles in a grand play directed by "Sananda, the Great Director." The prophecy focuses on a specific event predicted for December 21, 1954, in Chicago and the midwest. The scene opens at dawn but in darkness, with a terrible rumbling awakening people. The earth shakes, buildings topple, and a massive wave from Lake Michigan engulfs the city, spreading east to Lake Erie and forming a new river to the Gulf of Mexico. The text mentions "Guardians" and the anguish of those who did not heed warnings about safe places like the Rockies, Catskills, and Allegheny Mountains, with some believing such events could not happen "here."

The article is followed by contact information for Charles A. Laughead, M. D., of East Lansing, Michigan.

Air Force Report (Page 7)

This section summarizes findings from an Air Force investigation. After seven years of study and over 3,500 sightings of "heavenly apparitions & other phenomena," the air technical intelligence center at Dayton, Ohio, found "no authentic physical evidence" that flying saucers are from other planets or are secret weapons. The Air Force's reason for keeping its investigation reports private is stated as protecting the privacy of observers and avoiding provocation of further sightings.

This 'N That (Page 8)

This section presents several brief, disparate points:

• Saucer Sightings Decline: The article notes a significant drop in reported flying saucer sightings. In 1952, 1,700 were reported; in 1953, this fell to 429; and by September 1 of the current year (1954), only 254 had been reported.
• Future Energy Needs: Palmer Putnamn, a consultant to the Atomic Energy Commission, is quoted stating that conventional fuels could be depleted in 75 years, and atomic fuels in 175 years. He suggests humanity may need to rely on the sun for power within the next 200 years.
• Geomagnetic Pole Shift: Evidence presented to the British Association for the Advancement of Science indicates that the Earth's geomagnetic pole has shifted significantly throughout prehistory, roaming from the central Pacific to Japan and at one time being located in present-day Arizona.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "The Roundhouse" revolve around the unexplained, the future, and the potential for advanced or unknown phenomena. There's a strong undercurrent of speculation regarding extraterrestrial life and technology, particularly in the "The Quest" article and the mention of flying saucers. The prophetic element in "An Amazing Prophecy" suggests an interest in foretelling future events, possibly with a spiritual or esoteric interpretation. The "Air Force Report" and "This 'N That" sections introduce a more grounded, albeit still speculative, perspective on scientific and governmental findings related to UFOs, energy resources, and geological history. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unusual subjects, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional understanding, as suggested by the "The Strange & Unusual" tagline and the concluding quote from Thomas Carlyle emphasizing humility and the act of discovery.