UFOs: Scanning the Skies Teach-Out

Although unusual sightings in the sky have been recorded throughout history, 1947 marked the beginning of the UFO phenomenon when the first saucer-like object was identified.

Early theories of sightings were heavily influenced by the Cold War: people explained them as world power technologies or a result of mass hysteria. Over time, geopolitics and technological advancement would change the narrative. In the next video, listen in as Greg Eghigian, Professor of History at Penn State University, shares the historical context of the UFO phenomenon that we know today.

In order to understand the cultural phenomenon of UFOs, we have to broaden our horizons beyond American borders. In the second video, Greg talks about the role that the international media played in creating a global phenomenon, with groups of UFO enthusiasts popping up in the 1950s across Europe, Asia, and South America. He also touches on some of the similarities and differences between different parts of the world in regards to witness reports of UFOs, alien beings, and abductions.