DEEP DIVE / UNREDACTED: How Paul Bennewitz and Ed Ruppelt Saved the World from Aliens and the CIA

The Why Files

In August 1988, Paul Bennewitz had a mental breakdown, convinced of an alien and government conspiracy against him. His supposed proof of UFOs over New Mexico drew the attention of an Air Force counterintelligence agent. This agent fed Bennewitz's belief in aliens for years, ultimately leading to his institutionalization. 

The summer of 1952 saw a flurry of UFO activity over Washington, D.C. Edward J. Ruppelt of Project Blue Book seemed the only one taking it seriously amidst bureaucratic obstacles. After a scientific panel recommended downplaying UFO reports to avoid hysteria, Ruppelt retired. His subsequent book criticized the change in UFO policy. Both he and Bennewitz asked too many questions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More description
In August 1988, Paul Bennewitz had a mental breakdown, convinced of an alien and government conspiracy against him. His supposed proof of UFOs over New Mexico drew the attention of an Air Force counterintelligence agent. This agent fed Bennewitz's belief in aliens for years, ultimately leading to his institutionalization. 

The summer of 1952 saw a flurry of UFO activity over Washington, D.C. Edward J. Ruppelt of Project Blue Book seemed the only one taking it seriously amidst bureaucratic obstacles. After a scientific panel recommended downplaying UFO reports to avoid hysteria, Ruppelt retired. His subsequent book criticized the change in UFO policy. Both he and Bennewitz asked too many questions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2024-01-10 46 min
Listen elsewhere

Available Results

Generated results are saved to your library for reuse and search.

No generated results are available for this episode yet.

Transcript

No transcript is available for this episode yet.
Sign in to generate a transcript for review.
Sign in

Chapters

No chapters available.