A recently uncovered document reveals that during the summer of 1952, the CIA was preparing for a possible alien invasion due to a spike in UFO sightings, particularly in Washington D.C. Air Force officials speculated these sightings could be interplanetary spaceships, prompting the CIA to use Project Blue Book for damage control. This project aimed to assess sightings and diminish public concern by attributing reports to natural phenomena. Consequently, 41 confidential reports were declassified to acclimate the public to the idea of potential alien encounters, while the CIA worked to downplay the situation to prevent potential psychological manipulation by the Soviet Union.
The CIA moved to abandon the investigation in the eyes of the American people, using Project Blue Book 'as a means of public 'debunking' UFOs.'
'By erecting a facade of ridicule, the US hoped to allay public alarm, reduce the possibility of the Soviet taking advantage of the UFO mass sightings...'
...41 previously classified reports were released for publication between August 1952 and February 1953, to prepare the public for [the possibility of contact].
The group attributed most sightings to misidentified natural phenomena like weather balloons, aircraft lights or atmospheric conditions, and used TV shows and newspapers to spread the word.
Collection
[
|
...
]