UFOs and Flying Saucers

Accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena can be found throughout human history and are even mentioned in the Bible. However, prior to the mid-20th century, there was no accepted name for such reported events. Finally In 1947, a U.S. newspaper reporter created the phrase Flying Saucers for a reported sighting [by Kenneth Arnold] and newspapers across the country followed suit. The U. S. Air Force, assigned responsibility for investigating such reports, then created the designation Unidentified Flying Object [UFO], which is still in general use to describe reported things seen in the sky that can’t be identified. Today, “Flying Saucer” generally refers to a purported spacecraft from another world.

It is generally agreed that at least 95% of all things initially reported as UFOs have ordinary explanations. But are some UFOs spacecraft from other worlds? The creators of this website believe the jury is still out on that question.

Pop culture is aspects of everyday life that are expressive and have mass appeal. This includes things such as movies, television, books, magazines, comics, fads, crazes, sports, hobbies, art, architecture, clothing, food, music, dance, etc. Since at least 1947 and continuing to this day, popular culture has embraced the subject of UFOs and Flying Saucers and presented untold graphic images of such craft [both factual and fictional representations] and their alien occupants to the public.

Thus it is clear that UFOs and Flying Saucer reports have had an impact on popular culture. But, in embracing UFOs and Flying Saucers, has popular culture had an impact on UFO and Flying Saucer reports? Has popular culture stimulated interest in the subject [perhaps even resulting in increased UFO and Flying Saucer reports]; influenced the public's attitude toward UFOs and Flying Saucers [by reinforcing their 'normalness' or reality] or; even affected what witnesses report [by offering appearance and performance cues]? We believe the answer is probably yes, but to what extent is unknown.

Flying Saucers are generally perceived as round or oval, usually with a dome on top. While this is the primary shape displayed on this website, we have included a few alien craft that are of other reported shapes, such as crescent, cylindrical, rocket, ball, triangular, etc. Also included are the alien craft popularized by Steven Spielberg in Close Encounters of the Third Kind [1977].