The Air Force Pushed Away This Man After His UFO Findings

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J. Allen Hynek was enlisted by the U.S. Air Force to investigate UFO sightings, but as he began to take the phenomena more seriously, the government pushed him away and dismissed his findings. This led to the rise of conspiracy theories that the government was hiding the truth about extraterrestrial technology.

Why it matters

Hynek's story highlights the government's historical reluctance to fully investigate UFOs, even when presented with credible evidence. This has fueled public distrust and the proliferation of conspiracy theories, which the government has struggled to contain.

The details

Hynek was brought in as an 'astronomical consultant' for Project Sign, the Air Force's initial UFO investigation initiative. While he was initially skeptical, Hynek began to take the unexplained sightings more seriously as he analyzed witness accounts. However, the Air Force grew wary of Hynek's openness to extraterrestrial theories and transitioned the project to the more restrictive Project Grudge, which aimed to dismiss UFO reports. Hynek was later brought in for Project Blue Book, but found himself in conflict with the Air Force's efforts to provide standard explanations for sightings. After Project Blue Book was terminated in 1969, Hynek launched a public campaign to promote the scientific study of UFOs, which inspired the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'.

• In 1934, Hynek joined Ohio State University's Physics and Astronomy Department.
• During World War II, American fighter pilots reported seeing strange aircraft.
• In 1947, pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine 'peculiar-looking' objects flying at high speeds, coining the term 'flying saucers'.
• In 1966, Hynek was sent to investigate reports of unusual lights in Michigan and suggested they were caused by 'swamp gas'.
• In 1972, Hynek published his book 'The UFO Experience', outlining his philosophy on ufology.