It Happens in the Best Circles

Magazine Overview

Title: It Happens in the Best Circles
Issue Date: September 23, 1991
Publisher: Time Inc.
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This TIME magazine article, reported by Leon Jaroff, reveals the surprising truth behind many of the mysterious crop patterns that had captivated the public and fueled speculation about extraterrestrial visitors. The piece focuses on the confession of two British artists, David Chorley and Douglas Bower, who admitted to being the creators of numerous crop circles.

The Sevenoaks Incident and the Hoaxers' Confession

The article opens with retired engineer Pat Delgado marveling at a complex crop pattern near Sevenoaks, Kent, in the United Kingdom, asserting that "No human could have done this." Delgado, who investigates and writes about crop circles, had previously suggested they were created by a "superior intelligence." However, his assumptions were quickly challenged when reporter Graham Brough introduced him to David Chorley, 62, and Douglas Bower, 67. These two landscape painters confessed to creating the Sevenoaks circle and revealed that for the past 13 years, they had been sneaking out at night to fashion between 25 and 30 new crop circles each growing season across southern England.

Bower directly told Delgado, "I'm afraid we've been having you on." Delgado expressed his dismay, admitting, "We have all been conned." This confession marked the end of one of the most popular mysteries of the era, which had previously been linked to flying saucer sightings and claims of mysterious energy forces radiating from the patterns.

The Rise of Cereology and Alternative Theories

The crop circle phenomenon had spawned an "intellectual cottage industry," with at least 35 Britons claiming expertise. A new scientific discipline, cereology, emerged, practiced by groups like the Circles Effect Research Unit, headed by physicist Terence Meaden. Meaden proposed that a weather phenomenon involving whirling columns of air picking up electrically charged matter might be responsible for flattening crops and producing lights seen above the circles. A team of Japanese scientists, led by physicist Yoshi-Hiko Ohtsuki, even suggested that ball lightning generated by microwaves could be the cause, and Ohtsuki created similar patterns in a laboratory. The authoritative journal Nature published Ohtsuki's findings, leading some to believe the mystery was solved.

The Hoaxers' Technique and Motivation

Chorley and Bower's technique was remarkably simple, requiring no advanced meteorological knowledge or complex physics. They would create a scale drawing of the intended pattern and then use basic equipment: a 1.2-meter-long wooden plank, a ball of string, and a baseball cap with a wire threaded through the visor as a sighting device. At the center of the intended site, one end of the string was held by Bower, while the other was attached to the plank, held horizontally by Chorley as he circled around, gently pushing the grain forward. They explained that the "heavy heads of the wheat tend to keep it down."

The duo conceived their hoax in 1978 while in a pub near Cheesefoot Head, "wondering what we could do for a bit of a laugh." Inspired by flying saucer sightings and recalling crop circles made by Australian farmers, they decided to flatten corn to simulate a UFO landing. Their initial attempts went unnoticed for three years. However, a circle spotted in 1981 was reported in the press and immediately attributed to extraterrestrials. Chorley recalled the event with amusement: "We laughed so much that time, we had to stop the car because Doug was in stitches so much he couldn't drive."

Aftermath and Continued Research

It was only after crop circle enthusiasts began seeking government funding that Chorley and Bower decided to reveal their hoax. Following the initial shock, researchers like Pat Delgado began regrouping. Delgado stated, "These two gents may have hoaxed some of the circles, but the phenomenon is still there, and we will carry on research." He believes that other crop circles might still have non-hoax origins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The article highlights the human fascination with mystery and the unknown. It showcases how a simple prank by two artists could capture the imagination of millions and spawn a pseudo-scientific field. The editorial stance appears to be one of debunking sensational claims while acknowledging the enduring human desire to believe in something beyond the ordinary. The article concludes by quoting Urologist Joan Creighton of Flying Saucer Review, who explains the appeal: "We all have an inner sense that there is a mystery behind the universe. We like mysteries. It's great fun."

Reported by: Anne Constable/London