Memorandum: Flying Saucers

This memorandum, dated March 15, 1949, from Dr. Stone of the OSI to Dr. Machle of the OSI, provides a critical review of a survey regarding 'Flying Saucers.' The author begins by expressing a low opinion of the documents provided, noting that they leave the reader 'confused and inclined to supineness.' Dr. Stone proceeds to outline several significant oversights in the survey's methodology and analysis. First, he argues that the survey failed to adequately consider the possibility that many reported objects were simply 'free' meteorological balloons. Second, he challenges the premise that 'flying saucers' are a viable foreign or advanced technology, noting that U.S. developments would be coordinated with commercial designers, foreign aircraft would struggle to operate at such distances from home bases, and the existence of guided aircraft capable of traveling several thousand miles exceeds known technological capabilities. The author further questions the psychological probability of objects being consistently reported as circular or oval. Finally, the memorandum highlights a 'curious time distribution' of sightings, illustrated by a chart showing a peak in activity, and poses the question of whether this pattern suggests 'midsummer madness' or the influence of external factors like asteroids.