Memorandum for Record: Telephone Conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler

On January 6, 1953, F. C. Durant of the OSI authored a memorandum regarding a telephone conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler of Princeton, New Jersey. The purpose of the call was to thank Dr. Wheeler for his interest in serving as a consultant for the CIA's investigation into the 'flying saucer' problem. During the conversation, Dr. Wheeler indicated that he would likely be unable to actively assist with the project after March 1953, citing his existing commitments to the Atomic Energy Commission's Project MATTERHORN. Despite his unavailability, Dr. Wheeler provided recommendations for other experts who might be able to contribute to the study. He identified Dr. Chapman, a British subject and authority on aurorae and ion paths, as a potential candidate. He also suggested Dr. O'Day, the Director of Research at the USAF Research Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, noting that Dr. O'Day had been studying atmospheric phenomena. Finally, Dr. Wheeler recommended Dr. Hannes Alfven, whom he described as an 'original thinker and outstanding researcher' and the author of 'Cosmological Electrodynamics' at Oxford University. Dr. Wheeler expressed the opinion that if a 'cut out' could be devised, a scientific investigation into the subject was warranted for an appreciable length of time.