reports received didn't stack up to the 1178 for 1957, or the 778
for 1956, or the 918 for 1952. But a new record was set when the
percentage of unknowns was pared down to a new low. During 1958 only
9/10 of one per cent of the reports, or 5 reports, were classified as
"unknown."

More manpower, better techniques, and just plain old experience has
allowed the Air Force to continually lower the percentage of
"unknowns" from 20%, while I was in charge of Project Blue Book, to
less than 1%, today.

No story of the UFO would be complete without describing one of
these unknowns, so here's one exactly as it came out of the Project
Blue Book files:

"On 31 October 1958, this Center received a TWX reporting an UFO
near Lock Raven Dam. A request for a detailed investigation was sent
to the nearest Air Force Base. The following is a summary of the
incident and subsequent investigation:

"Two civilians were driving around near Lock Raven Dam on the
evening of 26 October 1958. When they rounded a curve about 200 to
300 yards from a bridge they saw what appeared to be a large, flat,
egg shaped object hovering about 100 to 150 feet above the bridge
superstructure. They slowed their car and when they got to within 75
or 80 feet of the bridge their engine quit and their lights went out.
The driver immediately stepped on the brakes and stopped the car.
Attempts were made to start the car and when this was unsuccessful
they became frightened and got out of the car. They put the car
between them and the object and watched for approximately 30 to 45
seconds. The object then seemed to flash a brilliant white light and
both men felt heat on their faces. Then there was heard a loud noise
and the object began rising vertically. The object became very bright
while rising and its shape could not be seen as it rose. It
disappeared in five to ten seconds.

"After the object disappeared, the car was started and they turned
it around and drove to where a phone was located and contacted the
Towson Police Department. Two patrolmen were sent to meet them. The
two men told the patrolmen of their experience. The witnesses then
noticed a burning sensation on their faces and became concerned about
possible radiation burns. They went to a Baltimore Hospital for an
examination. Both witnesses were advised by the doctor that they had
no reason for concern.

"An extensive investigation was made concerning this incident.
However, no valid conclusion co