The Philadelphia Experiment is one of the most intriguing and controversial stories in the history of naval warfare. According to some accounts, it was a secret experiment conducted by the U.S. Navy in 1943 to make a warship invisible and teleport it from Philadelphia to Norfolk. However, the Navy denies that such an experiment ever took place, and many skeptics dismiss it as a hoax or a legend.

The Origin of the Story:

The story of the Philadelphia Experiment originated in 1955, when a man named Carl M. Allen (also known as Carlos Miguel Allende) sent a package to the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The package contained a copy of a book by Morris K. Jessup, titled The Case for the UFO: Unidentified Flying Objects, with handwritten annotations in the margins. The annotations claimed that Jessup was too close to discovering the secrets of alien technology and that he should not investigate the levitation of UFOs. They also referred to an experiment that took place at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in October 1943, involving a destroyer escort called the USS Eldridge.

Allen claimed that he was a witness to the experiment, as he was aboard a merchant ship nearby. He said that he saw the Eldridge disappear in a green-blue glow and reappear in Norfolk, Virginia, before returning to Philadelphia. He also said that some of the crew members of the Eldridge suffered from terrible burns, disorientation, and mental breakdowns. Some were even fused to the metal of the ship or vanished completely.

Allen later sent more letters to Jessup, elaborating on his story and providing more details about the alleged experiment. He said that it was based on some unpublished theories by Albert Einstein and that it involved generating a powerful magnetic field around the ship to bend light and space. He also said that the experiment was overseen by a scientist named Franklin Reno (or Rinehart) and that it was part of a larger project called Project Rainbow.

The Navy’s Response:

Jessup was intrigued by Allen’s story and tried to verify some of his claims, but he found no evidence to support them. He also contacted the Navy and asked them about the experiment, but they denied any knowledge of it. They said that the USS Eldridge was never in Philadelphia in October 1943 and that it was engaged in normal operations in the Atlantic Ocean at that time. They also said that there was no such thing as Project Rainbow or Franklin Reno.

However, Jessup’s book with Allen’s annotations caught the attention of some Navy officers who were interested in UFOs and paranormal phenomena. They decided to reprint the book with the annotations and distribute it among some military officials and scientists. This version of the book became known as the Varo Edition, named after the company that printed it.

The Varo Edition sparked more interest and curiosity about the Philadelphia Experiment among some researchers and enthusiasts. Some of them tried to contact Allen or find more witnesses or documents related to the experiment, but they met with little success. Allen himself became more elusive and inconsistent in his correspondence, and he eventually stopped communicating altogether.

The Alternative Versions:

Over the years, different versions and variations of the Philadelphia Experiment story have emerged, often contradicting each other or adding new elements. Some of these versions are based on alleged interviews with surviving crew members of the Eldridge or other witnesses, while others are based on speculation or imagination.

Some of these versions claim that:

• The experiment was not only about invisibility and teleportation, but also about time travel. The Eldridge allegedly traveled to 1983 or 2137 or other dates in different timelines.

• The experiment was part of a larger conspiracy involving aliens, Nazis, Freemasons, or other secret groups.

• The experiment had unforeseen consequences, such as creating wormholes, parallel universes, or psychic disturbances.

• The experiment was replicated or continued by other governments or organizations in other locations or times.

The Skeptical View:

Many skeptics and historians have dismissed the Philadelphia Experiment story as a hoax or a myth. They have pointed out several flaws and inconsistencies in Allen’s account and other versions of the story. They have also provided alternative explanations for some of the phenomena reported by Allen or other witnesses.

Some of these arguments are:

• There is no physical or documentary evidence to support the existence of such an experiment or its effects.

• There is no scientific basis for creating invisibility or teleportation with magnetic fields or any other known technology.

• There is no record or trace of the USS Eldridge or any other ship being in Philadelphia or Norfolk at the time of the alleged experiment.

• There is no credible testimony from any of the crew members of the Eldridge or any other witnesses who can confirm the story.

• Allen was a mentally unstable and unreliable source who fabricated or embellished his story based on his own imagination or other sources, such as science fiction novels or movies.

• The green-blue glow seen by Allen or other witnesses was caused by a natural phenomenon called St. Elmo’s fire, which is a form of atmospheric electricity that sometimes appears on ships or planes.

• The Varo Edition was a prank or a publicity stunt by some Navy officers or UFO enthusiasts who wanted to create a sensation or test the public’s reaction.

The Philadelphia Experiment is a fascinating and mysterious story that has captivated many people for decades. It has inspired many books, movies, documentaries, and websites that explore its various aspects and implications. However, it has also been challenged and debunked by many critics and experts who regard it as a hoax or a legend. The truth behind the story may never be known for sure, but it will continue to spark debate and curiosity among those who are interested in the paranormal and the unknown.

Sources:
1.  https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/what-is-the-true-story-of-the-philadelphia-experiment/
2. https://www.history.com/videos/the-philadelphia-experiment
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Experiment