THE SPACE VIEWER

Magazine Overview

Title: THE SPACE VIEWER
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 7
Date: January, 1959
Publisher: U.F.O. Study Club, Kansas City, Mo.
Editor: Dwight Bockman

This issue of The Space Viewer, published by the U.F.O. Study Club of Kansas City, focuses on recent UFO sightings, scientific discussions about life in the universe, and club activities. The cover features the magazine title, issue details, and a headline about the Mitchell Sisters' upcoming lecture. A quote, "It was from a little acorn that the oak tree grew," sets a tone of growth and development.

Mitchell Sisters Lecture Engagement

The Mitchell Sisters, Betty and Helen, are scheduled for a second lecture on UFOs at Drexel Hall in Linwood and Baltimore on January 11th at 2:30 p.m. Hailing from Florissant, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, both are mothers. They previously spoke to the club in September, sharing scientific insights and accounts of contact with space people, including Helen's alleged trip into space. For their return engagement, they have new material, much of which they received after September. Their first contact was reportedly in May 1957, and they claim to still be communicating with "people from Mars." The club anticipates a well-pleased audience, similar to their previous event. A donation of $1.00 is requested for admission, with a reduced rate of 50¢ for juniors aged 12-17, to cover expenses.

UFO Sightings: Clipper Gems

This section presents several recent UFO sighting reports:

• Baltimore, Md. (October 27, 1958): Phillip Small and Alvin Cohen reported seeing a round, white, egg-shaped object floating over Bridge No. 1 at Loch Raven Reservoir. The object was estimated to be about 100 feet long. As they approached within 75 feet, their car's motor and all electricity shut off. After observing the object for 45 seconds to a minute, it glowed intensely, emitted heat, and then shot straight up with a loud clap or explosion, disappearing within five to ten seconds. The car's motor and lights immediately turned back on. Small reported that the heat was so intense it felt like his left cheek was burned.
• Frederick, Md. (October 20, 1958): Allen Etzler, a 26-year-old cabinet maker and former radar operator, reported seeing what looked like a "glowing ball" while driving home from work around 9:30 p.m. Initially observed as being "about as high as a silo," it shot upward into the night at a startling speed and was soon out of sight. This report follows similar accounts from other residents in the area about a bright flaring light in the sky.
• Garden Grove, Calif. (October 23, 1958): Richard H. Osterloh reported seeing a UFO over Disneyland around 12:30 a.m. He described it as "the size and shape of a blimp, surrounded by a halo glow and with three or four brightly shining colored lights in the center." It had a tail about three or four times the length of the object, with a bright light at the end. Seen about 300 yards over the Disneyland parking lot, it was observed for about two minutes before taking a sharp dive and disappearing in a bright flash as it neared the ground.

Documentation Suggested

Charles Bennett suggests that the club accumulate local UFO sightings to create a record, as many reports are lost. He encourages individuals to contact Charles at WA 1-8170 or Dwight Bockman at HE 2-7743 to provide their statements, which can be recorded on tape or written. Materials can be sent to Dwight L. Bockman, 10915 West 57th Terrace, Shawnee, Kansas.

Life Elsewhere in the Universe?

This section features an article based on a lecture by Dr. Melvin Calvin, a University of California chemist known for his work on photosynthesis, given at the University of Washington on November 16, 1958. Dr. Calvin posits that "given the original physical conditions of the primordial earth, the genesis and evolution of life, including complex forms like man, have followed virtually an inevitable pattern." His reasoning is based on recent chemical laboratory findings regarding the primordial earth's atmosphere and the evolution of inorganic into organic molecules. He suggests that while the evolution of chemicals up to a living cell was predictable, the development of higher forms of life was subject to broader conditions, meaning plants and animals would develop, but their precise forms were not predetermined. Dr. Calvin also noted that observational evidence suggests life, including plants and animals with potentially similar sense organs, exists widely throughout the universe. He views life as a major cosmic phenomenon, not a trivial accident, and suggests that thinking creatures may be altering their environments profoundly. He concludes that man's venture into space is an inevitable and necessary aspect of evolution, enabling organisms to develop their full potential and transform other planets, much like Earth's surface has been transformed.

New Appointments

Dwight Bockman has been appointed editor of The Spaceviewer. Robert C. Moran has been named 2nd Vice-President and Chairman of the Membership Committee, filling a vacancy left by Bud Kimes. A finance committee, consisting of Derrick Bennett, Charles Caspari, and Neal Pinkerton, has been formed to study the club's financial needs and establish admission fees.

Adamski Stay Enjoyed

The UFO Study Club of Kansas City hosted Mr. George Adamski for a lecture on November 30th. The event, held at the home of President Paul M. Wheeler, included an open house and a covered dish supper attended by over 40 people. The club members expressed regret at Mr. Adamski and his secretary, Mrs. Lucy McGinnis's, departure, cherishing the "valuable information and advice" they provided.

Club Social Highlights

On Sunday, December 14th, thirty-eight members attended a social gathering. Charles Caspari presented a condensed translation of a German metaphysical paper titled "The New Europe," which discussed landings on German territory and suggested that "community heads of Venus have decided to effect a landing here on earth and that they have chosen the German territory."

Paul Wheeler discussed a recent Kansas City Star article about a new monetary financing system, noting it was previously predicted for the Mitchell sisters. He also shared a personal sighting from around the time of the Wright Brothers' first flight: an object about the size of a full moon at its largest, which flew low over treetops, causing them to waver. Wheeler also mentioned being informed that a Congressman had been contacted and the Air Force had interviewed someone for hours regarding information about a contact.

The event took place in the basement of the Kansas City Museum, which has a suitable meeting space and kitchen facilities.

List of Saucer Clubs Being Compiled

Club secretary Frances Bennett is compiling a list of flying saucer clubs worldwide. She has identified 85 clubs in 20 U.S. states, Hawaii, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, and Switzerland. This list will be updated at meetings.

Club Library in Operation

The UFO Library is open for business with a deposit requirement of $1.00 for members and $2.50 for non-members. The club covers one-way postage, and the borrower pays for return shipping. Books can be kept for four weeks, with a daily fine of 4 cents thereafter. Deposits should be mailed to Mr. Neal Pinkerton, Box 412, Kansas City 41, Missouri.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the study of UFO phenomena and extraterrestrial life, encouraging the collection of sighting data and the open-minded consideration of scientific and speculative theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation and dissemination of information within the UFO community, fostering a sense of shared interest and collective effort through club activities, lectures, and publications like The Space Viewer. There is a clear emphasis on scientific inquiry, as seen in the discussion of Dr. Calvin's theories, alongside anecdotal reports of sightings and the activities of prominent UFO figures like George Adamski.