SPACE - No 53 - 1961 05

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: Bulletin No. 53
Date: May 1961
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety, Editor and Publisher, from Coral Gables, Florida.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of SPACE magazine, titled "Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma" (S.P.A.C.E.), delves into a variety of topics ranging from UFO sightings and the burgeoning space race to paranormal events and scientific speculation. The publication, edited and published monthly by Norbert F. Gariety, reflects a critical and often skeptical perspective on many of the phenomena it covers, particularly those related to extraterrestrial claims.

Editorial Stance and Cover Story

The cover prominently features the word "SPACE" in large, stylized lettering, accompanied by imagery of a flying saucer and a spaceman, hinting at the magazine's core themes. The editorial, while acknowledging the scarcity of UFO reports in April, uses the global political situation as a backdrop to discuss the importance of self-reliance and warns against seeking "salvation" from external, possibly extraterrestrial, sources. The editor emphasizes that humanity must solve its own problems and fight its own battles, without expecting intervention from beings who have observed human conflicts without interference.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Reports and Claims

The magazine presents a report on the "flying saucer cake" incident from Eagle River, Wisconsin, where Joe Simonton claimed to have exchanged water for cake with occupants of a flying saucer. However, the editor expresses a need for "better proof than that," highlighting the recurring issue of "lack of evidence."

A "new contact claim" also arrived via mail but required "much more proof than a piece of 'cake' to make it hold up in court."

Paranormal Phenomena

The "LONG ISLAND POLTERGEISTS STILL A MYSTERY" section details the unexplained happenings at the "Herrmann home" in Seaford, L.I., between February and March 1958, where over fifty objects reportedly moved and shattered. Despite police and parapsychologist involvement, the mystery remained unsolved, with residents leaning towards a physical rather than supernatural explanation.

Scientific Discoveries and Speculations

Mammoth Myth Debunked: A report from Science Service discusses new findings by Columbia University geologist William R. Farrand, suggesting that woolly mammoths found frozen in Siberian glaciers likely died by accidental drowning or riverbank collapse, rather than a catastrophic glacier event. The condition of the mammoths indicates a slow death, not a rapid freeze.

Radioactive Pacific Natives: Scientists have discovered a "radioactive" native population on a volcanic Pacific island (Nui, Ellice Islands) that consumes food 100 times more radioactive than normal. Sir Ernest Marsden suggests this natural radioactivity has led to a race more resistant to radiation, potentially offering insights into surviving nuclear war.

Life on Mars and Venus: Dr. Harold C. Urey, a Nobel prize-winning chemist, believes life may exist on Mars and Venus. He points to bacteria found in oil wells as evidence of life's adaptability and suggests that the changing color of Mars' surface could indicate vegetation. He also speculates that most stars have planetary systems and that life, possibly even intelligent life, could have arisen on other planets.

Lunar Water Supply: Dr. Thomas Gold, director of the University's new center for Radio Physics and Space Research, believes there is extensive water on the moon, shielded by a layer of ice. He suggests this water could be accessible to a manned scientific station and that sunlight might have converted lunar dust into building materials.

Mars' Moons and Spacecraft: Verne Frese speculates that the two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, could be artificial constructs or occupied by a large population capable of maintaining a fleet of spaceships, potentially explaining Earth sightings.

The Space Race and Cold War

Shepard's Space Flight: The issue celebrates Commander Alan B. Shepard becoming America's first "SPACE MAN." However, it also highlights concerns raised by Congressman James Fulton of Pennsylvania, who suggested the US might be "as little as a month" behind Russia in space exploration.

Skepticism Towards Soviet Claims: The magazine expresses significant skepticism regarding Russian space achievements, particularly Yuri Gagarin's orbital flight. Citing discrepancies in reporting and a history of Soviet propaganda, the article questions the validity of their claims, suggesting they may be part of a "Communist falsehood" or "psychological warfare."

Henry Hazlitt's 'Space Flight': A satirical account by Henry Hazlitt, a contributing editor, humorously claims he achieved orbit in a 12-ton spaceship before the Russians, detailing his 'experience' with a tone of mock secrecy and scientific precision.

Human Error and Safety

"UNSAFE" PLANES DELIVERED WITHOUT NUTS AND BOLTS: This section reports on Lockheed Aircraft Corp. being fined for delivering inadequately inspected Electra planes to airlines. Instances of missing bolts, improper length bolts, and trash found in wing sections are cited, emphasizing the critical role of human inspection and the potential for catastrophic failures due to human error.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SPACE magazine consistently emphasizes a need for critical thinking and evidence-based conclusions, particularly concerning UFOs and extraterrestrial claims. The editorial stance is wary of sensationalism and propaganda, urging readers to rely on their own efforts rather than seeking external salvation. The Cold War context heavily influences the discussion of space achievements, with a clear undercurrent of competition and distrust towards Soviet claims. The magazine also highlights the importance of human diligence and the potential for disaster stemming from human error, even in advanced technological fields. The recurring theme is a call for vigilance, self-reliance, and a grounded approach to extraordinary claims, whether they be extraterrestrial or related to human endeavors.