1951 09 00 See - Gerald Heard

Magazine Overview

Title: SEE
Issue: September 1951
Volume: 15
Publisher: ANC
Country: USA
Price: 15¢

This issue of SEE magazine, dated September 1951, features a prominent cover image of model Jean Moorhead and headlines that include "AN OPEN LETTER TO AMERICAN MOTHERS by GENERAL MARK CLARK," "FAMOUS 'FAT BOY' REDUCING GUIDE," and "THE TRUTH ABOUT BEAUTY CONTESTS."

Is Another World Watching Us?

The lead article, "Is Another World Watching Us?" by Gerald Heard, explores the ongoing mystery of flying saucers. Heard challenges the recent explanation by the Office of Naval Research that saucers are merely weather balloons, presenting several compelling eyewitness accounts that he argues cannot be explained by this theory. He details sightings from various locations, including Mount Rainier, Washington; Antarctica; the Arabian Red Sea; and France.

Heard recounts six specific cases that he believes disprove the balloon theory:

1. Naval Commander Robert McLaughlin's team at White Sands: Observed a saucer at 56 miles high traveling at 18,000 mph.
2. Pilot Clarence S. Chiles and co-pilot John B. Whitted: Flying near Montgomery, Alabama, encountered a huge, black, cigar-shaped object with uncanny lights that rushed at them and then maneuvered away.
3. Airline captains Jack Adams and G. W. Anderson: Saw a disk sweeping around them with a blinding blue-white light and glowing rim.
4. Captain R. Adickes and co-pilot R. Manning: Showed passengers a bright red disk rolling on its edge near South Bend, Indiana.
5. Captains W. T. Sperry and W. Gates: Observed a dazzling blue-white disk between Washington D.C. and Nashville.
6. Aviation Editor Janssen: Photographed four disks and later had two disks stop his plane's engine, which restarted after the objects departed.

Heard also mentions the experience of Captain Charles Lane, who in 1945 over China and India, saw a white disk-shaped object that stopped his plane's engines and caused instruments to go haywire.

The Nature of the Craft

Heard speculates on the technology behind these craft. He notes their incredible speed (up to 18,000 mph) and maneuverability, suggesting that they have overcome the "speed-heat problem" and possess materials resistant to intense heat. He proposes that the glowing lights observed might indicate a power source based on radiation, possibly similar to X-rays or atomic power, which would also explain the soundless operation of the saucers.

Who or What is Inside?

A significant portion of the article addresses the question of who or what might be piloting these craft. Given the extreme speeds and G-forces involved, Heard argues that no human or even animal could survive inside. He suggests two possibilities: either the controllers are insects, perhaps super-bees from another planet like Mars, capable of complex calculations and navigation, or the craft are "remotely controlled."

Origin and Purpose

Heard further explores the idea that saucers might be magnetically powered, which could create a localized gravitational field, protecting occupants from acceleration. This leads to the question of their origin, with Heard suggesting they could be visitors from another planet. He notes that sightings over Equatorial Africa, a region rich in Uranium, might indicate an interest in Earth's atomic resources. The proximity of Mount Kilimanjaro to the Great Rift geological fault also draws his attention, speculating that the visitors might be mapping Earth's magnetic field or preparing for a landing.

Other Articles

Beyond the flying saucer investigation, the magazine includes an "Open Letter to American Mothers" by General Mark Clark, likely addressing contemporary social or political issues of the time. Additionally, a "Famous 'Fat Boy' Reducing Guide" is featured, with a reference to page 47, and an article titled "The Truth About Beauty Contests" promises to reveal insights into the world of pageantry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance, as presented in Gerald Heard's article, is one of open inquiry into the flying saucer phenomenon, leaning towards the extraordinary explanation of extraterrestrial visitors rather than mundane explanations like weather balloons. The editorial tone encourages readers to consider the evidence and the implications of these advanced aerial phenomena. The inclusion of articles on weight reduction and beauty contests suggests a broader focus on popular interest topics for its readership.