MUFON founded as the Midwest UFO Network

Witness account

Investigators organized the Midwest UFO Network on 31 May 1969, with chemist Allen Utke as its first director. Walter Andrus helped convene the group and succeeded Utke in 1970. The original name matters: it became the Mutual UFO Network in 1973 as its geographical reach expanded.

Public record

Schuessler’s institutional history describes a decentralized field network, initially affiliated with APRO while retaining its own direction. The Missouri newsletter Skylook became its publication. The first symposium took place in Peoria on 13 June 1970, providing a forum for investigators to exchange reports and research.

Sources

• John F. Schuessler, A Brief History of MUFON
• MUFON Through the Ages