Stanton J. Linden

Stanton Terry Friedman (1934–2019) was an American-Canadian nuclear physicist who dedicated much of his career to the scientific investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). After earning degrees in nuclear physics, he worked for various companies on advanced, classified projects. In 1970, Friedman transitioned to full-time UFO research, lecturing extensively, publishing numerous papers, and appearing in media to discuss his findings. He was particularly known for his advocacy of the Roswell UFO incident as a genuine extraterrestrial spacecraft crash and for his belief in Earth's visitation by alien intelligence. Friedman often referred to himself as 'The Flying Saucer Physicist,' linking his scientific background to his UFO research.

Friedman's work often challenged mainstream scientific and media skepticism. He was a vocal critic of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) for its perceived dismissal of anecdotal evidence and visitation hypotheses. He frequently cited public and scientific polls suggesting a significant belief in the reality of UFOs. Despite facing criticism and his positions being considered controversial, Friedman maintained that his research was based on empirical data and presented compelling evidence, particularly concerning the Roswell incident and the Majestic 12 documents, which he defended as potentially authentic.

Born in New Jersey, Stanton Friedman pursued a strong academic path in nuclear physics, earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Chicago in 1955 and a master's degree in the same field in 1956. His early career involved 14 years as a nuclear physicist for prominent companies such as General Electric and Westinghouse. During this period, he contributed to classified, advanced projects including nuclear aircraft, fission and fusion rockets, and compact nuclear power systems for space applications. By the 1980s, he also consulted for the radon detection industry. This solid foundation in physics provided him with a unique perspective when he shifted his focus in 1970 to the full-time scientific investigation of UFOs, a field where he would become a leading, albeit controversial, figure.

Friedman became a prolific lecturer, speaking at hundreds of institutions across numerous countries, and authored over 80 papers on UFOs. He was a staunch proponent of the term 'flying saucer,' distinguishing them from general unidentified flying objects. His most notable work involved his investigation of the Roswell incident, where he was the first civilian to document the crash site and strongly supported the hypothesis of an extraterrestrial spacecraft. Friedman also testified before Congress and the United Nations, asserting that evidence suggested Earth was being visited by intelligent extraterrestrial vehicles, possibly utilizing magnetohydrodynamic propulsion. He also examined the Majestic 12 documents, concluding in 1996 that there were no substantial reasons to dismiss their authenticity.

Friedman proposed that UFOs might originate from nearby star systems, citing the Betty and Barney Hill star map, which astronomer Marjorie Fish attempted to correlate with stars visible from Zeta Reticuli. He was notably critical of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) efforts, arguing that they overlooked the possibility of actual visitation by extraterrestrial beings. Friedman contended that SETI's focus on detecting signals, rather than acknowledging potential physical presence, hindered serious UFO research. He often contrasted his views with those of his University of Chicago classmate Carl Sagan, criticizing Sagan for allegedly ignoring empirical UFO data that contradicted his assertions about the unreliability of interesting UFO cases.

Friedman frequently highlighted public opinion polls, such as those conducted by Gallup, showing a significant percentage of the population believed UFOs were real. He also pointed to surveys of scientists that indicated a considerable portion believed in the existence of UFOs, with some considering their origin to be extraterrestrial. Friedman argued that much of the public and even many scientists were unaware of the extensive scientific studies conducted on the subject. He believed his lectures, often delivered to professional groups, helped to shift perceptions by presenting what he described as 'solid information' beyond tabloid sensationalism, though his views remained controversial within mainstream scientific circles.

“Flying saucers are, by definition, unidentified flying objects, but very few unidentified flying objects are flying saucers. I am interested in the latter, not the former.”

“I know that most people are unfamiliar with the several large-scale scientific studies ... because I ask, after I show a slide and ask about each one, 'How many here have read this?' Typically, it is only one or two percent”

“attendees had had no idea there was so much solid information, as opposed to the tabloid nonsense they thought was the primary source of UFO data”