The "Amoco Alien"

[Giddierone]

The "Amoco Alien" appeared in an advertisement in several publications in 1988-89. The earliest being NASA Tech Briefs, Nov 1988.
See: https://archive.org/search?query="t...+help+answer+some+big+questions"&tab=fulltext

However, ufologists like to make something of the fact that it was also published in Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 29, 1989 a publication that skeptic Philip Klass wrote for (see page 84-85 of the attached PDF).

The claim made about it, by the likes of conspiracy theorists Bill Cooper and Bob Ochsler, is that it is too detailed and real looking to be a fake and is likely some kind of soft disclosure of real alien contact — that coupled with the text that appears to hint at technological breakthroughs, it reads (bold added):

Technology so
advanced i t will
help answer some
big questions.
THORNEL® Advanced Composites
Proprietary materials development.
Our mesophase pitch fibers, based on
unique technology patented worldwide,
are now available in more forms than ever,
including individual prepreg plies of one mil
thickness. These materials and materials
systems demonstrate properties essential
for solving many of your most demanding
problems when it comes to aero, outer
and deep space applications.
New performance frontiers. So far,
this new technology has shown stiffness
characteristics far superior to current
materials. It also imparts unsurpassed
dimensional stability allowing you to tailor
coefficients of expansion to 0 or negative
if required. Plus, with thermal conductivity
3 to 5 times that of copper, it can solve
many of the thermal management prob-
lems encountered in aerospace designs.
The attainable unknown. While current
applications include laser hardening, low
observable technology and use in space
radiators, space panels and heat sinks, the
potential of this material can take you far
beyond today's design limits. With our
ongoing research and the evolution of
design the mysteries of space will, in time,
be revealed
We can help. Ask us questions. Our
research people can guide you to materials
solutions for your toughest design prob-
lems. You can reach us a t Amoco Per-
formance Products, Customer Service,
1-800-222-2448.
W e do more than create the technol-
ogy. We share the vision.
THE ALL AMERICAN SOLUTION

[36:27]
Source: https://youtu.be/VaqSD3i66OU?si=oitTZkurQFp8xeiW&t=2184



Source: https://youtu.be/fA2PgIvLPXI?si=LyOHW3jJAtUEL2_1

 

[Ann K]

too detailed and real looking to be a fake

 

[JMartJr]

If we're going back, let's go WAY back!

The claim made about it, by the likes of conspiracy theorists Bill Cooper and Bob Ochsler, is that it is too detailed and real looking to be a fake

It is only "real looking" if there is a real thing that looks like that, which has not been proven and can't be proven by pointing to this image! The reasoning here seems a bit circular... (One thing I'd like them to address is, in what way is this image more or less realistic than other portrayals of similar aliens? Please cite your sources!")

the text that appears to hint at technological breakthroughs

...in 1988/89.

It is now 37 years later -- where is this amazing alien technology, what "big questions" did it answer?

 

[Mauro]

that coupled with the text that appears to hint at technological breakthroughs,

But it does not 'hint' at a technological breakthrough. Rather, it's a plain advertisement for what Amoco thought was a tech breakthrough (and it might well have been one): THORNEL® (I guess the breakthrough was a novel method to make carbon fibers from pitch).

 

[Giddierone]

But it does not 'hint' at a technological breakthrough. Rather, it's a plain advertisement for what Amoco thought was a tech breakthrough (and it might well have been one): THORNEL® (I guess the breakthrough was a novel method to make carbon fibers from pitch).

I'm drawing attention to the claims made by ufologists, who see a UFO conspiracy everywhere. They're not my claims. In addition to
the vague promise that "the mysteries of space will, in time, be revealed" ufologists wonder why such a hyperealistic model (with hair and fine skin wrinkles etc) was used when a drawing would have sufficed. They see it as some sort of deliberate revelation, but I think there are probably lots of examples from 1988 of similar realism in advertising.