In France in the autumn of 1954, there was a big flap of reports of observations of UFOs and close encounters with their occupants, largely relayed in the national and regional Press.
The "saucers" and the "Martians" naturally quickly became an advertising topic. Such an advertising once appeard in the newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré, in which in the form of a story of an encounter with a "Martian", the latter was finally described as wearing an elegant wind-breaker of the famous "Duracuir" brand.
No ufologist to my knowledge ever took this obvious product advertising for a report of a real close encounter of the third kind.
But in the Seventies, two ufologists believing themselves converted in "rationalism" managed the exploit: they claimed that ufologists, which they claim to be idiots without humour, had "believed" in this "Martian."
The two "rationalists" chaps went so far as to claiming that they spent "days of investigation" to be sure that this Martian in Duracuir wind-breaker was not really an authentic Martian but an advertising Martian.
The affair illustrate in an hilarious manner the unsoundable silliness that can reign in the ranks of some folks who claim to be "rationalists."
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[Ref. bb1] GERARD BARTHEL AND JACQUES BRUCKER:
The two authors indicate that the newspaper "Le Dauphiné Libéré", for October 2, 1954, published the following text:
"We are informed that the schoolteacher of Ygrande, Gustave Rivet, walked in the countryside at approximately 03:00 p.m., accompanied his young class of 19 pupils for the course of practical botany."
"At the time when they were on the verge of arriving at the location called "les Deux Passages", their attention was caught by an uncommon noise. A light and alternative whistle resounded in the air of the sunny and windless countryside. The children, not reassured, asked their teacher what it was. The latter was unable to answer. The noise ceased suddenly. Forgetting this incident, the young class continued their studious walk. Approximately half an hour later, again the noise was heard and how amazed was the class when they discovered that this noise came from the middle of the field hidden by a curtain of trees."
"An apparatus whose metallic appearance of a dark red, made them at once think of a flying saucer. This apparatus had two parts, the lower part of approximately one meter to of one meter fifty, spherical and equipped with oval port-holes; the second, higher part, appearing to be a disc of approximately 0,50 meters thickness, rotating and emitting a soft whistling sound, rested on square blocks."
"Mr Gustave Rivet could observe this strange vision at length and with a cool spirit. Around the apparatus there were three shapes that seemed to be the passengers of this machine. These shapes were made of a trunk like that of a normal man provided with two arms of which the proportions were human but ended by hooks which were opening and closing again. They had only one leg ending in a spherical base which allowed their displacements by small hops. The head, very small and conical, seemed to have three eyes located in triangle and allowing to see in all the directions at the same time."
"The most curious feature was their costume which seemed to be a leather jacket of a gray steel color. The young Chatelin kid, aged 14, son of the clothes merchant of Ygrande, certifies to have recognized a "Duracuir" clothing, that brand which dressed Louison Bobet, the classy world champion, always nicely dressed...!!!"
The two authors indicate that if the ufologists had humor instead of being stupid because of their fanaticism they would laugh when reading this.
They then say that this affair can be "eliminated without any doubt."
They tell then that they made an in-depth investigation into this case, by letters and telephone calls and "several working days to be sure that we do not make an error of judgment."
They then say then that it is a hoax and that Mr. Rivet and the young Chatelin kid did not exist but that "in the other sightings the nature of the report does not always make it possible to suspect a possible joke. "
[Ref. mf1] FRANCAT, MICHEL FIGUET:
In his listing of non-UFO entries, Michel Figuet noted:
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10/19/1954 Ygrande Advertising for "Duracuir" clothes. Investigation by J.M. Giraud. Eric Zuercher p. 138. |
As a ufologist, therefore "stupid" and "without humor" by definition if I am to believe Gerard Barthel and Jacques Brucker, I did laugh, but at the expense of Jacques Barthel and Gerard Brucker rather than at the expense of the ufologists.
Indeed, it is enough to read the last paragraph of the newspaper text that they reproduce to understand that this is simply advertising for the Duracuir clothing brand, presented in the form of a Martian landing story, such advertising scheme having become frequent at the time.
It seems that Gerard Barthel and Jacques Brucker take people for granted when they claim that they made an in-depth investigation for "several working days."
First, there was no risk of "error of judgment" in discarding this story: a Duracuir jacket, the elegant champion cyclist Louison Bobet!
Second, there was not the least reason to insult people who would be "without humour", "fanatics" and "stupid". This case, when it appears in the ufology literature, is obviously not presented to make a case for the flying saucers! The only mention of this case that I found is that of Michel Figuet who clearly indicates: "advertising for Duracuir clothing."
As for Gustave Rivet "who does not exist", he was actually a republican politician deceased for a long time, who had had functions in public education, principal private secretary of the Secretary of State to the State Education in 1879, his name was given to a certain number of places and streets of France, possibly providing inspiration to the author of the publicity.
As for the bicycle champion Louison Bobet, victorious of the Tour France three consecutive times in 1953, 1954 and 1955, he was indeed an elegant man, he also was really the first French sportsman who had been solicited by advertisers.
An interesting point in this affait is that of the alleged morphology invented by the advertising executive: it is utterly incongruous compared to those described in the more serious cases.
| Id | Topic | Severity | Date noted | Raised by | Noted by | Description | Proposal | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None. | ||||||||
Non-CE3. Advertising.
* = Source I checked.
? = Source I am told about but could not check yet. Help appreciated.
| Main Author | Patrick Gross |
|---|---|
| Contributors | None |
| Reviewers | None |
| Editor | Patrick Gross |
| Version | Created/Changed By | Date | Change Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Patrick Gross | April 16, 2007 | Creation, [bb1], [mf1] |
| 0.2 | Patrick Gross | April 16, 2007 | First published |
