dr. hynek, of project blue book, stated that he believed that a certain sighting was the "real thing".

this concerns the famous ufo sightings that took place near ann arbor, michigan, and nearby livingston county back in march of 1966. the father of my life partner (i will call him "xxx" in this report.) was a reporter for the "ann arbor news" back then and responded to the calls concerning the ufo sightings. xxx did not see anything, but was at the news conference conducted by dr. hynek. before the conference was started, xxx was talking with hynek and hynek stated that he had no explanation for what had been seen and that he had a feeling that the sightings were for real! he stated that from the amount, and veracity, of the witnesses, he thought that they had truly seen something that could be called a ufo and they were directed by intelligent beings. while this conversation was taking place, hynek was told that he had a telephone call from washington, d.c., and that he could take it in the room off of the conference room. when he returned, he asked xxx to not print what he had been saying. he then gave the famous "marsh gas" explanation at the news conference.
Anonymous report.  The story may be accurate, but I have heard other accounts regarding the origin of the "swamp gas" explanation.  It is my understanding that Hynek turned to a journalist, and facetiously referred to swamp gas as a possible explanation of the events that spring in Michigan.  We have been stuck with it every since.  PD