1967 02 00 Science & Mechanics

Magazine Overview

This issue of Science & Mechanics, dated February 1967, features a prominent cover story on "EXCLUSIVE! MORE UFO SIGHTINGS REVEALED!". The cover also highlights an "AMAZING 'ROTATING' ENGINE!" that is "COMPLETELY ENCLOSED!", boasts "140 LBS 400 HP!", and has "ONLY 12 MOVING PARTS!". Additionally, Joe Gutts tests the "'67 VWs". The magazine includes a special section titled "UFOS IN HISTORY AND MYTH" and a "COMPLETE DIRECTORY" of unexplained sightings.

UFOs in History and Myth

The article "UFOs in History and Myth" by Gordon H. Evans traces reports of aerial phenomena throughout history. It begins with an account from 1239 A.D. by Matthew of Paris, describing a star-like object that moved with unusual slowness and left smoke and sparks. The author contrasts this medieval observation with a modern astronomer's likely explanation of a bolide (fireball), but notes the discrepancy in the object's ability to change direction. The article suggests that many historical accounts, though phrased in archaic and religious terms, bear a striking resemblance to modern UFO reports.

Several historical accounts are presented:

• 1254 A.D.: Matthew of Paris describes a "large ship, elegantly shaped, and well-equipped and of marvelous color" seen by monks at St. Albans.
• 1290: A "flat, round, shining, silvery object" was seen at Byland or Begeland Abby.
• 1322: A report from Uxbridge, England, describes a "pillar of fire" that moved slowly and emitted a fervent red flame, with sounds of crashes.
• 776 A.D.: Two large, reddish shields were seen in motion above a church, causing terror.
• Roman Times (99 B.C. and 90 B.C.): Accounts from the Prodigia of Julius Obsequens describe round objects like globes or shields moving in the sky, and a globe of fire that gyrated and ascended.
• 42 B.C.: An object described as a "weapon, or missile" rose from the earth with noise.
• 170 B.C.: A "fleet of ships" was seen in the air at Lanupium.
• 80 A.D.: "Wonderous flames" and a "ship" were seen in the skies over Caledon wood, Scotland.
• 398 A.D.: In Byzantium, a "burning globe, presenting a sword" was seen.
• 1554: An account from France describes a "burning fire" emitting noise and a great light, moving from east to west.
• 1528: A "Burgundian cross" of yellow color was seen in the sky during the siege of Utrecht.
• 1643: John Evelyn recorded seeing a "shining cloud in the air, in shape resembling a sword," bright as the moon.

The article notes that meteors cannot accelerate noticeably and that some of these historical descriptions do not fit known natural phenomena. It also touches upon the difficulty of proving the extraterrestrial origin of these events due to the incomplete nature of records and potential for exaggeration.

Folklore and UFOs

The article explores the connection between folklore and UFOs, suggesting that tales of "little people" like fairies, gnomes, and leprechauns might be based on encounters with extraterrestrial visitors. It cites the story of a leprechaun seen by two boys in Ireland and mentions the Makiawisag, legendary dwarfs from Native American folklore. The author posits that the "hoods" often described in folklore might be part of a complex breathing apparatus or space helmet. The article also discusses the possibility that the "paralysis ray" described in some modern UFO reports could be related to the way these folklore beings could cause blindness or paralysis by pointing their fingers.

Ezekiel's Vision

Ezekiel's biblical account is presented as a potential description of advanced technology. The "living creatures" with animal faces and wings, and the "wheels" described in his vision, are interpreted as possible descriptions of a complex space helmet, portable rockets, and a craft, using the limited imagery available to the prophet. The noise associated with the creatures' movement is compared to the noise of "great waters."

The Grunstra Rotating Engine

An article details the Grunstra Rotating Engine, highlighting its innovative design with only 12 moving parts. It operates by drawing fuel mixture through the carburetor and manifold, compressing it, and forcing it into the cylinder. The engine's light weight (140 pounds) and high horsepower (rated at 280 hp, with potential for 400 hp) make it suitable for cars, airplanes, and portable power plants. The article emphasizes the lack of power loss due to the absence of conventional components like timing gears, camshafts, and oil pumps. The engine was exhibited at an inventors' show and is being demonstrated to companies for potential licensing and production.

Joe Gutts Tests the '67 VWs

This section, likely a brief review or test drive, focuses on the '67 Volkswagen models, driven by Joe Gutts.

Complete Directory of UFOs (Part III)

This section, by Lloyd Mallan, continues the directory of unexplained sightings, presenting specific cases with details on time, place, duration, number of observers, observer reliability, shape, dimensions, color, sound, altitude, speed, and tactics.

• August 29, 1960 (Crete, Illinois): A farmer aged 67 reported a spherical object, the size of a bushel basket or larger, brilliant silver or chrome, moving very fast vertically and ascending out of sight.
• April 4, 1965 (Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi): A weather observer reported a "large football with lights," black against clouds, about 40 feet long, moving fast and passing underneath clouds.
• August 17, 1958 (Warren, Michigan): A business-machine mechanic reported an object that appeared ball-shaped, then saucer-shaped, described as bright white, estimated at 70° above the horizon, motionless at first, then moving very fast.
• October 26, 1958 (Loch Raven Dam, Maryland): Two observers reported an egg-shaped object that hovered, then became disc-shaped, estimated at 100 feet long, iridescent white, emitting a loud noise before rising vertically and disappearing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the persistent presence of unexplained aerial phenomena across human history, from ancient times to the modern era. The magazine adopts a stance of open inquiry, presenting historical accounts, folklore, and contemporary reports as evidence that warrants serious consideration, challenging conventional explanations and suggesting the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation. The inclusion of scientific articles on engines and vehicle tests alongside UFO content indicates a broad interest in technological advancements and the unexplained.

Title: SCIENCE & MECHANICS
Issue: February
Volume: 1967
Date: February, 1967
Publisher: SCIENCE & MECHANICS
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: $0.50

This issue of Science & Mechanics features a comprehensive directory of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings, primarily from the 1950s and 1960s. The magazine delves into numerous reports, providing detailed accounts of encounters, witness testimonies, and official investigations.

Directory of UFO Sightings

The core of the issue is a collection of individual UFO sighting reports, each meticulously documented. These reports include:

• Date and Time: Specific dates and times of the sightings.
• Location: Geographical locations where the objects were observed.
• Duration: The length of time the object was visible.
• Number and Type of Observers: Details about the witnesses, including their professions (e.g., pilots, investigators, geologists, civilians) and their reliability assessments.
• Number of Objects: Whether one or multiple objects were seen.
• Shape, Dimensions, Color, Sound, Altitude, Speed, and Tactics: Detailed descriptions of the physical characteristics and behavior of the observed phenomena.
• Comments: Analysis and conclusions from investigators, often noting the lack of conventional explanations.

Notable Cases and Details:

• July 25, 1959, Irondequoit, New York: A technical illustrator and private pilot reported a crescent-shaped object with a white bubble, estimated at 50 feet in span, moving at over 800 mph. The object was described as brownish-black with a white bubble.
• June 18, 1959, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Two young men observed an elongated, reddish-brown cigar-shaped object for four minutes. It rose rapidly from below the horizon and vanished. An Air Force Intelligence officer noted its striking reddish-brown color and vertical ascent.
• June 30, 1959, Patuxent River, Maryland: A Navy Commander and his daughter witnessed a brilliant gold, oblate object with sharp edges, approximately nine times longer than it was deep. It was estimated to be at 4000 feet and moving at less than 100 knots.
• September 1, 1958, Wheelus Air Force Base, Tripoli, Libya: Two observers, a Special Investigator and a Technical Representative, reported a round, bluish-white object that varied in size from a star to a baseball and then diminished. It moved at high and low altitudes with varying speeds.
• August 10, 1959, Goose Air Force Base, Labrador, Canada: An experienced Royal Canadian Air Force pilot observed a bright white light, appearing as a large star, moving faster than a satellite and vanishing mysteriously. The object climbed from 240° on the eastern horizon to overhead in 25 minutes.
• March 26 or 27, 1959, Corsica, Pennsylvania: Two observers described an object as barrel-shaped with metal bands, or like a fish or airplane without wings. Discrepancies in size estimates were noted.
• November 21, 1961, Oldtown, Florida: Two observers reported a round, reddish-orange object, the size of an auto tire, that ascended to a very high altitude and then faded.
• September 24, 1961, Monitor Valley, Nevada: A geologist observed two objects described as large lights. The first was stationary and emitted a beam downward, while the second moved at high velocity.
• April 17, 1960, Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri: A U.S. Air Force major and an engineering representative observed a star-like object with a reddish glow that moved rapidly across the sky.
• November 29, 1960, South of Kyushu Island, Japan: Two jet-qualified pilots observed a shapeless object resembling a star that flew parallel to their aircraft at 21,000 feet before disappearing.
• April 24, 1961, Pacific Ocean: An aircraft commander and navigator observed an object resembling a satellite but with excessive speed, ruling out known satellite positions.
• March 17 and 20, 1966, Milan, Michigan: A police patrolman reported a large, well-lighted object, like a huge pie, hovering at about 75 feet and pacing his car before disappearing at high speed.

Physical Effects and Investigator Comments:

One incident on the cover of the magazine involved observers who felt a 'tremendous heat wave' and a 'burning sensation on their faces' after a UFO took off. The faces of two men were redder than normal, though no serious damage resulted. A 16-year-old boy also sighted a similar object.

Air Force investigators frequently noted the reliability of observers, including trained personnel like Special Investigators and pilots. However, many cases remained classified as 'unexplained' or 'unidentified' due to the lack of sufficient data or plausible conventional explanations. For instance, a sighting near Oldtown, Florida, was noted as having been sighted twice before by other observers who did not report it.

The Finishing Touch (Non-UFO Content)

This section provides practical advice on furniture finishing and repair. It covers applying paste finish wax, using products like Minwax's Antique Oil Finish, and methods for dealing with spills (milk, martinis, water) and minor damage like dents, nicks, scratches, and cigarette burns.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the UFO directory is the persistent occurrence of unexplained aerial phenomena that defy conventional explanations. The magazine presents these cases with a degree of seriousness, detailing the observations and the investigative efforts. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and presenting these phenomena, often highlighting the limitations of current knowledge and the need for further investigation, as evidenced by the numerous 'unidentified' classifications. The inclusion of a separate article on furniture care suggests a broad scope for the magazine, catering to diverse reader interests beyond just UFOs.