Roundhouse - Vol 04 No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: THE ROUND HOUSE
Issue: No. 1
Volume: IV
Date: January 1955

This issue of The Round House, subtitled "THE STRANGE & UNUSUAL," presents a collection of speculative articles touching upon themes of time travel, physics, extraterrestrial phenomena, and space exploration.

The Quest by Darold Powers

Darold Powers explores the concept of time travel as a means to overcome interstellar distances. He references a previous editor's question about the necessity of actual travel if atoms can reverse instantly through time. Powers suggests two ways time travel could be utilized: first, by traveling backward in time to a point when the universe was contracting, as theorized by Dr. George Gamov, and then moving forward to the present; or second, by traveling back to a point when the traveler's home galaxy was closer to Earth. He posits that flying saucers might originate from future residents of Earth who are trying to warn humanity about potential mistakes or a future destruction of Earth. A paradox is raised: if these future beings persuade us to avoid their mistakes, do those mistakes cease to be part of their past experiences, potentially leading to a more advanced future humanity?

A Theory on Auras and Gravitation

This section presents a theory, seeking criticism, that attempts to explain the physical cause behind gravitation. The author proposes that all substances emit an "aura," which is the momentary enervation of inert electrons near an object. The strength of this aura is linked to the object's mass. When a barrier is present near an object, the auranic impulses "pile up," becoming denser, and causing the object to move towards the barrier. This theory is illustrated with a scenario where a larger object's stronger aura equalizes with a smaller object's aura, creating a barrier that causes the smaller object to move towards the larger one. The article includes a schematic diagram, noting it's not the exact one used by John Otto but provides greater amplification, and suggests components for resistance coupling and output tube bias.

Outer Space Communications?

This article discusses "whistles," peculiar musical noises being studied by the radio propagation laboratory of the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado. Other listening stations, including one aboard the navy's ice-breaker Atka, Stanford University, and the U.S. Air Force Cambridge research laboratory, are also monitoring these sounds. The "whistles" are described as starting on a high, fast note and descending slowly, lasting for one to two seconds. Arthur D. Watt, a radio propagation engineer, suggests that the apparent source is lightning discharges on Earth, creating low-frequency radio waves within the audible range. These signals exhibit tremendous skip distances, reaching up to 10,000 miles and sometimes originating in the northern hemisphere and being heard in the southern hemisphere. Watt notes that these waves seem to follow the Earth's magnetic field lines and require the existence of ionized gases at heights beyond the ionosphere. The article also briefly mentions John Otto's experiments with light-beam communications and a spectro-photo communication receiver.

Algae for Space Flight

The issue highlights the potential of algae, a green lichen-like plant, for sustaining oxygen levels during space flight. Through photosynthesis, algae can "manufacture" oxygen by utilizing water and carbonic acid gas, effectively converting carbon dioxide. A "garden" of algae aboard a spaceship could provide sufficient oxygen for early space crews.

Spectro-Photo Communication and Cover Description

This section explains spectro-photo communication, describing it as a form of light-beam communication used in various scientific instruments. In its simplified form, it involves focusing light onto a photo-electric cell, which converts it into an electric current. This current, when amplified, can drive a loud speaker or be used with a galvanometer. The writer recounts building a comparable unit using a homemade telescope and receiving what appeared to be "CW" (continuous wave) signals of unknown origin, directed towards the northeast at a 45-degree angle above the horizon. A caution is given regarding the voltage limit for photo-tubes like the RCA 923. The "OUR COVEN" section describes the cover image as an artist's reproduction of a photograph taken from 100 miles above Earth by a Navy Aerobee Sounding rocket over the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico. Recognizable features include the Rio Grande Valley and the Gulf of California. The photograph, covering about 900 miles vertically, was taken with a standard gun turret camera. The article muses on how Earth might appear similar to other planets from such a distance and notes a "phase" similar to the moon, even at this proximity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unknown, the strange, and the potentially extraordinary. The magazine seems to embrace speculative theories, particularly concerning space, time, and unexplained phenomena like flying saucers and unusual radio signals. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging reader participation and criticism of the presented theories, positioning "The Round House" as a platform for exploring unconventional ideas beyond mainstream scientific understanding. There's a clear interest in pushing the boundaries of current knowledge and contemplating future possibilities for humanity, especially in the context of space exploration.