There are indeed a lot of sulfur type accounts in ufology - in fact, this led to quite a belief in some quarters that UFOs are demonic. Coincidentally, Dave Clarke and Andy Roberts’ new book, “Flying Saucerers” has a whole chapter on the demonic angle which is very interesting.

Nick

Has anyone ever ’studied’ the ’smells’ associated with these ‘ encounters’?
usually the smells are identified as sulfur or methane ( historically/culturally associated
with ‘demons/satan/evil spirits’)….it’s quite frequently reported in these ‘high strangeness’ events,
and i’d surmise quite often not reported or overlooked/dismissed by investigators….

An “acrid smell” could be anything–reminds me of ants/insects ‘disturbed’ or mating….
perhaps acting as a ‘catalyst’ in an ‘atmosphere of molding vegetation’ =’s ‘allergic’ reaction.

Isn’t it curious that the ’smell’ was mentioned yet nothing about the reaction of the dog?

(A dog might not be affected by this ’smell’ anymore than catnip…did the dog try to move
his unconscious owner by the pants-leg….questions.

m

This was one of my favorite ‘Arthur C. Clarke’ pieces. Although I don’t remember Clarke commenting on this specific case but I’m sure he had to have found it intruiging.

BTW, back in the 80’s a toy was released that reminded me so much of the description of the metalic spheres which ‘attacked’ Mr. Taylor. The toy, a ball w/ spikes, would vibrate and move across the ground in a weird fashion. Creeped me out.

-Jason Gammon
http://www.BoyintheMachine.blogspot.com

Both Taylor and his wife were interviewed for the series and both seemed absolutely sincere and credible. Mrs. Taylor in particular was very genuine in her remarks. She said that when her husband returned home he was visibly shaken by whatever had happened to the point that she feared he may have suffered some sort of medical event; a stroke, heart attack, or something along those lines, I imagine.

They also had an interview with a detective who worked on the case (he may have been from Scotland Yard, but I couldn’t swear to it.) He showed the pants worn by Taylor with the rips in the fabric. After analysis it was their conclusion that the tears had in fact occured in exactly the direction consistent with the description Taylor had given. They also did a psych profile on him and, I believe, his wife. The conclusion was that they were absolutely credible, well-adjusted people; respected members of their community, and not the sort who would concoct a fanciful story for the sake of attention, money or anything else.

Too bad he died. He seemed like a likeable old fella.

You’re right: he never waivered and told it as it was, never elaborating. Even the skeptics didn’t consider him a hoaxer - instead there was talk on their part of epilepsy, hallucination, etc. But Taylor was adamant that what he reported is what he saw; and he stuck to his account until the end.

Must have been known as a “straight-up” fellow. In his story he doesn’t try to “juice” the thing in any way; just tells it simply and with complete befuddlement as to what it was all about. Over here the press would would likely have worked to smear him as a nut-job. And I’m sure the “authorities” would have done their own share of smirking.