Memorandum for Record: Telephone Conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler
This CIA memorandum for record, authored by F.C. Durant, recounts a 1430-hour telephone call to Dr. John A. Wheeler at Princeton, New Jersey. Durant thanked Wheeler for his interest in serving as a consultant on the 'CIA attack on the flying saucer problem' but noted that Wheeler's urgent classified work for the AEC (project MATTERHORN) prevented his association at that time. Wheeler indicated he might remain unavailable even after March 1953 due to his particle research work, but offered to discuss the matter briefly at any time. He recommended several scientists in related fields: Dr. Sydney Chapman, a British authority on the aurorae and associated problems of 'ion path' and 'magnetic focusing,' believed to be at Cambridge University, England; Dr. O'Day, Director of Research at the USAF research center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who might suggest U.S. subjects; and Dr. Hannes Alfvén, described as an original thinker and outstanding researcher, author of 'Cosmological Electrodynamics' (Oxford University Press). Wheeler suggested that one or both men might be engaged through a 'cut out' if the problem persisted and scientific study was warranted. The memo reflects CIA efforts to recruit scientific expertise for UFO investigations in the period surrounding the Robertson Panel.
Description
A CIA memorandum for record documenting a telephone conversation between F.C. Durant and physicist Dr. John A. Wheeler concerning Wheeler's possible affiliation as a consultant on the CIA's investigation of the 'flying saucer' problem, and Wheeler's suggestions of other scientists in related fields.
Claims
The CIA was conducting an 'attack on the flying saucer problem' and sought scientific consultants for it.
85%Dr. John A. Wheeler declined active participation due to urgent classified work for the AEC (project MATTERHORN) and particle research.
85%Wheeler recommended Dr. Chapman, Dr. O'Day, and Dr. Hannes Alfvén as potential experts, possibly engaged through a 'cut out.'
85%The CIA was recruiting scientific consultants, including Dr. John A. Wheeler, for its study of the 'flying saucer' problem.
85%Wheeler's work for the AEC (Project MATTERHORN) and particle research prevented him from actively consulting even after March 1953.
80%Wheeler suggested engaging researchers such as Dr. Chapman and Dr. Hannes Alfvén through a 'cut out' if the problem persisted.
80%The Air Force was studying upper atmospheric phenomena with considerable vigor.
70%The Air Force was studying upper-atmospheric phenomena with considerable vigor at the Cambridge, Massachusetts research center.
70%
Events
Dec 31, 1952
Telephone conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler
Durant called Wheeler at 1430 to thank him for interest in consulting on the CIA flying saucer investigation; Wheeler declined active participation and suggested other scientists.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Extracted text (OCR)
Sapam ea “debate lepthba's FUERTE MARR TEREST TaTT SV ON POPES IR TTIPTI NS Cur) oer OLTe ORATOR ES PTER) Beye es PRET a Se T POE eT Saanich die g h ley 4 ¢ *« a nae sioneeee a . te ‘ : | MEMORANDUM FOR RECCRD_ — SUBTECTs Telerhone Conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler ° 1, At 1430 today t calléd Dr. Wheeler at Princeton, New Jerser (123) to thank hin for his interest in vnossible affilila2: ss so v0 = tion as a consultant in the CTA-attack onthe "flying saucer" problen, I told hin we regretted that the urgency of his current — work for ABC (MATTERHCRH) prevented association at this tine. 2, Dz. Wheeler stated that he nicht_not be able to actively assist even-afterstarch=10453 because of his work on “particle — es research", Hovever, he wavld b2 naased at any time to discuss the ratter -orieflv. He mentioned two foreign nationals who -...... ..- were currently outstanding in related fields. One was Dr. Chapmany == a British subject who is_an-euthorit on the aurorae and its associated "rvsterious croblens" of "ion nath" and "magnetic foenssine? — Dr. O'Day (Directer of Research at Cambridge, >... c+. - Masssonusetts USEF Resaaren Genter) nicht be avcle to suggest a -U. S. sudjects in this field. It ancesars that the Air Forca ~~~ > has been stuéwirg upner atnosmneric vhenonena there with considerable Vifor. D>. Chacan's belioved to be currently at Cemsridee University, m a ul 4 3, Another sussestion was Dr, darnes- Alfven, an "original - thivrer and outstanding researcher". He has written "Cosmological Electrodineanics", Oxford University Press. Dr. Waeeler thought _ sone method of using ore-or both of these nen might be devised threuch a "out ont", assuming the rrobdlen contimed for an anoreciacle length of time and scientific attack was warranted. Distritutions - 4 n Cria - Subiect file F402 eee 1 + Daily readire files ypke $a 2 ” one ya! AUS ¢ Lette ier) 1 - Chrono fila : 4 a ee ed Mim erste sipe ie Bo. 1h shi ap pachpdapl ans oilemsde lad abut ulaonas bad aati by cthecabh tibet eabas daimpiichan eins sh ial ad PI are at men dada l tis bebdd didsedlatbacebhi iV a Le ets sen se Poe Peay ee ‘ MENCRANDUM FOR RECCRD SUBIEGT: Telerhone Conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler 1, At 130 today I called Dr. Wheeler at Princeton, Mew 7 (123°) to thank hin for his interest in nossible affilia- tion as a consultant in the CIA attack on the Wflying saucer" problen, I told hin we regretted that the urgency of his current work for AO (MATTERACRN) prevented association at this tine. ~ 7 | Wheeler stated that he night not be able to actively * assist even after March 1953 because of his work on Mmarticle research”, However, he would be nleased at any tine to discuss the raiter oriefly. He mentioned_two foreign nationals who were currently outstanding in related fields. One was Dr. Chapman, - a British subject who ig am euthority om the auroras and its associated "rrsterious trebles” of "ion nath" and "magnetic > fooussing?, De. O'Day (Director of Research at Cambridge, Massachuset U.S. sudj hes been s * im cr 1D of USAF Resezren Genter) nicht be able to suggest Te] 4s ets in this field<— It areears_that the Air Force ~ waving upnersatnostheric-nhenonena there with _ vigot. Dew Chacrants believed to be currently at 2 2 Camtridce University, Bzland. — 22 2s at bas’ 3, Another sugsestion was Dr. Hannes Alfven, an original s > thivrer and outsten _pesearener", He has written "Cosmological Flectrodvmanics", Cxtord Univorsitv Press. Dr. Wheeler thougnt sone ~ethod of using one or both ofthese men might be devised= threuch a Tout out, avoreciactle lengta” of -time and scientific attack was warranted. assuming the rroblem continued for an — L F.C. DURANT. oo ~ Ost /Fyarant ita Distrittions Orin =-Subjoet=file a tia e : Cie a ae = foe yp ta ot ra 1 =Dailr readine file pho Sere Gate deny 2 = Chrono fila oo 2 4
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