PROJECT BLUEBOOK: 701 Official UFO Reports in Just 22 Years

th1sandth8tcom
Jun 14
14 min read

Resources:

-- Here’s the spreadsheet system (best resources) re the 2023 Congressional UAP hearing, its corresponding Spotify playlist and my article on The Phenomenon by James Fox entitled “The Debate isn’t Whether UFOs Are Real, the Debate is What are They?”

-- A Guide to Understanding: 2023 UAP Hearing + BlueBook & Pentagon UFO Files

-- Bluebook Essay on GoogleDocs

-- Youtube Playlist

-- Roswell Spotify Playlist

-- Bluebook Spotify Playlist

***

Understanding PROJECT BLUEBOOK through the podcast episode: How Project Blue Book Worked – Stuff You Should Know

701 Official UFO Reports in Just 22 Years

Project Blue Book, a U.S. Air Force program that investigated Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) from 1947 to 1969, remains one of the most intriguing chapters in the history of American ufology. This essay explores the origins, evolution, and impact of Project Blue Book, drawing insights from the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast and various other sources.

What Was Project Bluebook?

From 1947 to 1969, the Air Force investigated Unidentified Flying Objects under Project Blue Book. The project, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was terminated Dec. 17, 1969. Of a total of 12,618 sightings reported to Project Blue Book, 701 remained "unidentified." The primary objectives of Project Blue Book were twofold: to determine if UFOs posed a threat to national security and to assuage public curiosity by demonstrating that the government was actively investigating these phenomena. This dual purpose reflects the complex relationship between public interest in UFOs and official government response during the Cold War era, “the objectives of Bluebook were to determine if UFOs are a threat to US security and to show the public they’re doing something” (37 mins).

The Evolution of Bluebook: Sign and Grudge

Everyone likes to talk about Bluebook, but not enough people know about its predecessors: the Project’s evolution went from Project Sign (1947-49) to Grudge (1949-52) and finally Bluebook (1952-69). The U.S. Air Force's official UFO investigation program underwent significant changes in its early years, reflected in its evolving names. These name changes were not merely cosmetic but represented shifts in attitude, methodology, and public relations strategy.

Project Sign was established in 1947 in response to the wave of UFO sightings that began with Kenneth Arnold's famous report, which the name "Sign" suggested a focus on identifying and interpreting the ‘signs’ or evidence of UFO phenomena. Initially, Project Sign took a relatively open-minded approach to UFO investigations. It was staffed by personnel who were genuinely intrigued by the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors, and some members of the project, many of whom favored the "Extraterrestrial Hypothesis" as an explanation for UFO sightings. The project produced the infamous "Estimate of the Situation" document, which reportedly concluded that some UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin; this document was allegedly rejected and destroyed by higher-ranking officials.

The "Estimate of the Situation" document is a significant part of UFO lore and the details surrounding it are somewhat murky, but its existence is a certainty. Its existence was confirmed by multiple sources, including Captain Edward J. Ruppelt in his book "The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects”. The document reportedly concluded that some UFOs were likely of extraterrestrial origin, however, the exact wording and the strength of this conclusion are not known with certainty. Also, it is widely believed that the document was indeed destroyed or ordered to be destroyed by higher-ranking officials, however, no copies of the original document have ever surfaced, making it impossible to verify its exact contents. According to Ruppelt, the document was rejected by General Hoyt Vandenberg, then Chief of Staff of the Air Force, due to lack of proof. Regardless of its exact contents, the rejection of this document is often cited as a turning point in the Air Force's approach to UFOs, leading to the more skeptical Project Grudge.

It's important to note that while many sources discuss this document, we don't have direct access to it, and much of what we "know" about it comes from secondhand accounts. The story of the "Estimate of the Situation" highlights the challenges in researching UFO history, where official secrecy, conflicting accounts, and the passage of time can make it difficult to establish definitive facts. While it's widely accepted that a document concluding some UFOs were extraterrestrial in origin was produced and subsequently rejected or destroyed, the exact details of its content, destruction, and the strength of its conclusions remain subjects of debate among UFO researchers and historians.

The transition from Sign to Grudge marked a significant shift in the Air Force's approach to UFO investigations. The name change was prompted by several factors: There was an increasing skepticism amongst higher-ranking officials of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis, there was growing worry that public fascination with UFOs could be exploited by the Soviet Union for psychological warfare and the Air Force wanted to downplay the significance of UFO sightings to reduce public anxiety and potential hysteria. The term "Grudge" reflected a more negative attitude towards UFO reports as the project's new mandate was to debunk UFO sightings and provide prosaic explanations for all cases. The newly skeptical and dismissive project included a focus on explaining away UFO sightings rather than investigating them thoroughly, increased efforts to discredit witnesses and ridicule UFO reports and a significant decrease in the number of cases labeled as "unexplained."

Ultimately, the transition from Grudge to Blue Book came about due to public + media criticism, new leadership and high profile sightings. Put plainly, Project Grudge's dismissive approach had drawn criticism from the public and media, Captain Edward J. Ruppelt took over the project and pushed for a more balanced and scientific approach and a series of notable UFO incidents, including the 1952 Washington, D.C. UFO incident, renewed interest in the phenomenon. The name "Blue Book" was chosen to suggest a more academic and objective approach, akin to a college-level textbook or study guide. Under Ruppelt's initial leadership, Project Blue Book aimed to strike a balance between skepticism and open-minded investigation as the name change signaled a return to a more systematic and scientific methodology, an attempt to restore public confidence in the Air Force's handling of UFO reports and a more neutral stance on the nature of UFOs, at least initially. The evolution from Sign to Grudge to Blue Book reflected the complex and often conflicting pressures faced by the Air Force in dealing with the UFO phenomenon. These name changes mirrored shifts in methodology, public relations strategy, and the overall attitude towards UFO investigations, influenced by both internal skepticism and external public and media pressures.

Key Figures

One of the main figures was Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer who served as the scientific consultant for Project Blue Book. Initially a skeptic, Hynek's views on UFOs evolved over time, eventually leading him to become a prominent ufologist. He was brought into Project Sign in 1948 as a scientific consultant due to his expertise in astrophysics, serving as the scientific advisor for Project Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book. His primary role was to provide scientific analysis of UFO reports and to help explain sightings through astronomical phenomena when possible. Hynek approached the UFO phenomenon with the assumption that all sightings could be explained by natural phenomena or misidentifications, but over time his views became more nuanced as he grew frustrated with what he saw as the Air Force's oversimplification of complex cases. Hynek developed the "Close Encounter" classification system for UFO reports (which has become widely used in UFO research) and authored several books on UFOs, including "The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry" (1972). After Project Blue Book closed in 1969, Hynek became more outspoken about the need for serious scientific study of UFOs and founded the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) to continue research into the phenomenon in 1973. His transformation from skeptic to advocate for serious UFO research has made him a significant figure in ufology as his scientific approach to the subject helped bring more credibility to UFO studies.

Another prominent figure was Captain Edward J. Ruppelt; while he's more famously associated with Project Blue Book, Ruppelt also played a role in the earlier projects and wrote about them in his book as mentioned above. He directed Project Grudge from late 1951 and became the first director of Project Blue Book in 1952, improving the UFO reporting system and bringing a more objective approach to investigations. He played a major part in the reclassification of Grudge to Bluebook and established a more scientific + open-minded approach as opposed to the dismissiveness that characterized Grudge, “Project Grudge became BlueBook after Rupelt took over. Dr Allen Hyneck would be the one to deliver the briefings to the public” (20 mins). Additionally, he was a major factor (the independent variable actually) in the stark contrast of the unexplained case rate during and after his leadership position, “After Rupelt left, the unexplained case rate went from 25 to 1 percent” (22 mins).

Other vital characters from Bluebook include Lieutenant Colonel James Beam, Colonel Robert Friend, Major General Charles P. Cabell, and Major General John A. Samford. Beam was the chief of the Technical Intelligence Division's Analysis Section and played a significant role in Project Sign. Cabell, the Director of Intelligence for the Air Force, ordered a reevaluation of Project Sign's work in 1948 and his dissatisfaction with Grudge's dismissive attitude led to its reorganization into Project Blue Book. Friend directed Project Blue Book from 1958 to 1963, maintaining a more open-minded approach to UFO investigations compared to almost all his predecessors and successors. Samford was the Director of Air Force Intelligence who held a famous press conference in 1952 addressing the Washington D.C. UFO sightings. His press conference, which was said to be the largest Pentagon press conference since World War II, was a pivotal moment in the public perception of the Air Force's UFO investigations. In his opening comments, he noted that, out of the hundreds of UFO reports in recent years investigated by the Air Force, there was "a certain percentage of this volume of reports that have been made by credible observers of relatively incredible things" but that none of them posed any national security threat. In response to a question as to whether the Air Force had recorded similar UFO radar contacts prior to the Washington incident, Samford said that there had been "hundreds" of such contacts where Air Force fighter interceptions had taken place, but stated that they were all "fruitless". Samford was also known for briefing the FBI that “the ships may be objects from another planet” (8 mins, Part II).

Roswell, New Mexico 1947 – The Case That Started It All

The Roswell incident of 1947, while not directly part of Project Blue Book, is often considered the event that thrust UFOs into the American public consciousness and was not so coincidentally also the year that Bluebook started as Sign. On July 8, 1947, the Roswell Army Air Field issued a press release stating they had recovered a "flying disc," which was later retracted and identified as a weather balloon. The incident was largely forgotten until 1978 when retired Lt. Col. Jesse Marcel (alongside UFOlogist Stanton Friedman), the first military officer to investigate the crash, claimed the debris was of extraterrestrial origin. Modern explanations often attribute the incident to Project Mogul, a top-secret program using high-altitude balloons to detect Soviet nuclear tests.

This event occurred shortly after Kenneth Arnold's famous sighting on June 22, 1947, near Mount Rainier, where he reported seeing nine crescent-shaped objects flying at incredible speeds, (under)estimated at 1,200 MPH and coining the term "flying saucer." Arnold's sighting, quickly disseminated by the Associated Press, sparked a wave of UFO reports across the nation. Together, the Arnold sighting and the Roswell incident marked the beginning of modern UFO culture in the United States, setting the stage for projects Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book.

Other Significant Sightings, The Nuclear Connection + The AATIP & Harry Reid

Throughout its existence, Project Blue Book investigated numerous high-profile cases: the 1965 Tinker Air Force Base sighting in Oklahoma, where meteorologists, police, and Air Force personnel independently tracked four objects, was controversially debunked as Jupiter by Blue Book - widely criticized as a ‘cover-up’ explanation. The 1966 Ann Arbor Michigan sighting infamously attributed to "swamp gas" by Dr. Hynek severely damaged the project's credibility. More recently, the 2004 USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" encounter off San Diego's coast, where Navy pilots observed an object demonstrating extraordinary capabilities, reignited public interest in UFOs. The USS Nimitz ‘Tic Tac’ UFO, commonly referred to as the David Fravor case, ascertains that 4 Navy pilots visibly saw the UFO which was recorded by multiple sensors going from 70,000 feet to 50 feet in a single second – this sighting is one of the most covered by mainstream media as there was no way for the media (or the government) to dismiss the highly decorated Navy Pilot when he took the sighting to 60 Minutes.

This incident, along with other Navy encounters, led to the creation of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), championed by former Senator Harry Reid. AATIP's existence was revealed in 2017, alongside the release of Navy UFO videos, marking a significant shift in government transparency on the subject. Reid has since stated that these developments "make the incredible credible," emphasizing the need for serious scientific study of the UFO phenomenon. The Pentagon's confirmation of these videos' authenticity in 2020 further legitimized the ongoing discussion about unexplained aerial phenomena, drawing increased attention from both the public and policymakers.

Reid also revealed that one of the most startling findings of the program was the frequent incursions of unidentified objects over nuclear missile sites, a potential form of symbolic communication in which these extraterrestrial creatures may be telling us we should not possess this world-destroying technology. The 1967 Malmstrom Air Force Base incident is one of the most intriguing cases in UFO history, where a UFO hovered over a nuclear missile site and multiple nuclear missiles at the base in Montana allegedly became inoperable simultaneously as UFOs were reported in the vicinity. This case is particularly significant because it involved highly sensitive military technology, multiple credible witnesses including Air Force personnel, and remains unexplained, suggesting a potential connection between UFO activity and nuclear weapons facilities. Robert Salas, a former U.S. Air Force missile launch officer, provides a firsthand account of this incident, describing how multiple nuclear missiles went offline during the UFO encounter. The podcast delves into this fascinating connection between UFO sightings and nuclear facilities, suggesting that these unidentified craft may be monitoring / interfering with humanity's nuclear capabilities, or sending subliminal messages, citing other examples like the Ellsworth Air Force Base incident in South Dakota in 1966. As a little cherry on top regarding some high ranking officials making these extraordinary claims, the podcast touches on the fact that many US presidents have claimed to have seen UFOs themselves, specifically examining the testimonies of Presidents Raegan and Carter.

Wright Patterson Air Force Base: The OG Area 51

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, served as the epicenter of the U.S. Air Force's UFO investigations, particularly during Project Blue Book. As the central hub for UFO reports nationwide, all Air Force bases were required to forward their sightings to Wright-Patterson for analysis. The base housed the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), which employed a supposedly scientific approach to investigating UFO phenomena. As the official headquarters of Project Blue Book from 1952 to 1969, it was where key figures like Captain Edward J. Ruppelt and Dr. J. Allen Hynek conducted their work. Wright-Patterson also acted as a liaison between various government agencies and was often the public face of UFO investigations. The base's advanced facilities and secretive nature led to persistent rumors about the storage and reverse engineering of extraterrestrial technology, (akin to the Bob Lazar story) with some dubbing it the "original Area 51." While these claims remain unsubstantiated, they underscore Wright-Patterson's significant and controversial role in UFO research. Even after Project Blue Book's closure, the base's association with advanced aerospace technology analysis continued to fuel speculation about its involvement in UFO-related matters.

Cover-Up Controversy + Conclusion

Project Blue Book's conclusion, encapsulated in the 1969 Condon Report, has been a subject of intense debate and controversy. The report stated that there was nothing of scientific value in UFO studies, effectively closing the door on official investigations. However, this conclusion was marred by controversy, particularly due to comments made by Edward Condon, the report's author; in 1967, Condon was quoted as saying, "My attitude is that there's nothing to it, but I'm not supposed to come to that conclusion for another year," suggesting a predetermination of results. This apparent bias, coupled with Project Blue Book's often criticized explanations for UFO sightings, has fueled suspicions of a government cover-up. While some speculate that studying UFOs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base may have catalyzed the post-World War II technological boom, there's no concrete evidence to support this claim. It's also worth noting that of the 701 unidentified reports, it's been suggested that U-2 and SR-71 flights could account for nearly half, offering a partial explanation for some of the more puzzling sightings.

Project Blue Book remains a fascinating chapter in the history of UFO research, leaving a complex legacy that continues to influence public perception and scientific inquiry. While it officially concluded that UFOs posed no threat to national security and found no evidence of extraterrestrial origin, the 701 unexplained cases continue to fuel speculation and debate. The project's impact extends beyond its official findings, living on in popular culture and inspiring ongoing government and private efforts to understand unexplained aerial phenomena. As we grapple with new sightings and revelations in the modern era, including the recent acknowledgment of Navy UFO videos, the story of Project Blue Book serves as a reminder of the enduring mystery surrounding UFOs. It highlights the complex interplay between public fascination, scientific skepticism, and government secrecy. Ultimately, while Project Blue Book may have officially closed the book on UFO investigations, it opened a new chapter in our collective quest to understand the unknown in our skies and realize that the debate isn’t whether UFOs are real, the debate is what are they?

***

Here are some additional resources on Project Bluebook and Roswell I’ve accumulated for my blog:

Big Picture Topic: Covert American Intelligence Agency Operations / UFOs

Specific Topic: Project BlueBook + Pentagon UFO Files

Podcasts + Docs

The Pentagon UFO Files, Project BlueBook Show, Unidentified: Inside America's UFO investigation , Project BlueBoook Exposed, UFOs - The CIA Collection, How Project Bluebook worked, UFOs Declassified, JRE 1315 Bob Lazar,