Are there any records available about UFO and Alien sightings prior to the 1940's Sci-Fi stories explosion?

Question

I'd like to determine whether UFO and Alien phenomena were witnessed prior to the 1940's, before people had a concept of calling it 'Alien'. I mean, if we didn't have sci-fi, would we still have these sightings and if we did what would we be calling it - ghosts?

Answer 1

First the term "flying saucer" wasn't coined by Roswell investigators. It was coined by an air force pilot back in '42 or '46 don't remember but it sure want Roswell.  UFOs weren't called UFOs before the '40's. the term UFO is an air force term, for the unidentified flying object. There is stories throughout time of "craft" and beings. The story of Aura TX where they claimed to have buried an aliens body in the late 1800's go there today and the grave has been moved to protect the site, by the people. The Hopi Indian believe we are form alien descent, you just have to research alittle and you'll find it. Oh don't believe everyone on here, we all think we know everything!! lol

Answer 2

The earliest RECORDED (possible) ufo encounter is in the Bible itself. Read the book of Ezekiel. what does the description of that wheeled "chariot" sound like to you?

Answer 3

Yes, this book should get you started (link below). It starts with sightings in the late 1800's.

Also, "The Terror That Comes in the Night" by David Hufford is an excellent book on night time assaults back when they were called succubus or demons.

Michael John Weaver, M.S.

Answer 4

There is a report of an UFO sighting in Dennison, TX, from I believe around 1878.  A farmer who lived outside of the town reported seeing a "saucer" float by him in the sky.  But about the cultural phenomenon, the term "flying saucer" was coined by one of the reporters in Roswell, NM, and the image that we all have come to know as an alien was never reported until after 1947.  But if you were to check, even the Egyptians in ancient times even talked about beings coming from the sky on flaming chariots.

Answer 5

There are some stories from before the 1940s. You have to be careful though, because it was quite common for "journalists" of the times to make stuff up to sell papers. But here's a great place to start:

http://www.ufomystic.com/

More possible sources:

http://www.outtahear.com/beyond_updates/...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO_abducti...

(Starts with "paleo-abductions")

Enjoy! :)

Answer 6

Try doing a search on " ancient astronaut theory " and sometimes there are links with the sites.

Answer 7

Excellent question.

The idea that the sighting of aliens coincide with other cultural events is an interesting one.  Joe Nickel wrote a book about how aliens are part of the cultural iconography.  I think he posits that the US (and later the rest of the world) created aliens as sort of a symbol of displaced mass hysteria.

Answer 8

the first true (and by "true" we mean "false", humans are such liars) alien sighting occurred in Roswell, New Mexico in 1940-something. A strange craft was seen "driving down Highway 40" according to Doreen Larkins (see below). The craft was perhaps twenty-five feet long, yellow, and bearing the strange insignia that resembled the English words "Andersen Bus Lines". The next alien sighting occurred in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a Gray alien named Elvis. Elvis was later apprehended and was reportedly distraught over Kennedy’s solution to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which was being broadcast throughout the galaxy in the form of an interstellar reality TV show called My Big Fat Obnoxious Earthling. Elvis was then shot by an effeminate Jack Ruby. NEVER, EVER, EVER give alien a gun (like in Alien vs Predator) or a ball point pen. It is the most stupidest thing to do, as the alien will use advanced technology to turn it into a Death Ray or Death Star.

Contrary to most popular beliefs, aliens are lovable scamps who wouldn’t hurt a fly. In fact, most aliens are more afraid of you than you are of them (supposing you are a large 8-foot man with brass knuckles). However, even the friendlier types of alien are infamous for their inordinate love of carrying out anal probings - who knows, this might be considered a polite way of greeting a stranger upon alien worlds, as indeed it is in some private clubs. Unfortunately, aliens are determined and set in their ways, so if they decide you need probing, there's nothing you can do to persuade them otherwise. The best thing to do is to always carry a large tub of Vaseline whenever you are going to be spending time in a place with a history of alien abduction and ask them kindly to use it.

Upon meeting an alien for the first time, you should extend your hand and introduce yourself. Then, when the alien is least suspecting it, whip out your hyper-dimensional warp-drive laser-gun and blast it out of the known universe. What? You don't have a hyper-dimensional warp-drive laser-gun? Well then, you're screwed. Or probed, at the very least.

If the Alien you have come across can speak English, then it is most likely to have spent a few years on planet Earth already. This is lucky for you, because now you can converse in a lengthy conversation about how UFO parking fees are too much nowadays. Whatever you do though, make sure it doesn't get bored. Try and keep it chatting so that the MIB have a chance to capture it.

Tell it to return to Mexico.

Answer 9

The guy above me is plagiarizing