The swamp gas press conference - the public break
After hundreds of witnesses, including police officers, reported pulsating lights over several Michigan townships, the Air Force sent Hynek to explain them. Under time pressure he told the press the lights may have been 'swamp gas'; journalists and politicians, among them future President Gerald Ford, responded with ridicule. For Hynek this marked a personal turning point.
Background
Over several townships in Michigan hundreds of witnesses - including police officers - observe pulsating lights in the sky. The Air Force dispatches Hynek for the official explanation. Under enormous time pressure he tells the press and TV cameras that the lights may have been 'swamp gas.' The headlines are devastating. Journalists and politicians - among them future President Gerald Ford - respond with open ridicule. For Hynek this is the personal turning point: he realizes his scientific credibility is being burned by the Air Force's explanation machine.