EXTRAS
Episode 1
The earliest article pertaining to the Betz sphere in Jacksonville’s daily newspaper’s archive was published on April 11, 1974. The Florida Times-Union article headline: “Bizarre Sphere Is Castle’s Latest Mystery Happening.” (Florida Times-Union Archive)
Wayne Betz, 12, is pictured with the sphere his family found. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
Ron Kivette, an alleged witness to the sphere’s strange behavior, co-wrote the 1971 movie ZAAT.
Ron Kivette, an alleged witness to the sphere’s strange behavior, co-wrote the 1971 movie ZAAT.
Ron Kivette claims to have photographed the mystery sphere at the Betz’ property not long after it was found.
Ron Kivette claims to have photographed the mystery sphere at the Betz’ property not long after it was found.
The Palm Beach Post ran an Associated Press story on April 12, 1974, in which Jacksonville newspaper photographer Lou Egner details the sphere’s strange behavior he allegedly witnessed.
The Florida Times-Union published the story “Odd Ball Now Being Scrutinized By U.S. Navy” on April 12, 1974. The Navy admits there’s something odd about the ball and newspaper photographer describes it as “the darndest thing I ever saw.” (Florida Times-Union Archive)
Navy Chief Chris Berninger reveals the results of an X-ray spectrographic and emission test conducted on the ball in an April 13, 1974 Florida Times-Union story. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
The St. Petersburg Times publishes “Odd Sphere Puzzles Navy.”
The Navy shares details about sphere study in an April 15, 1974 article: “Sphere Is Still A Big Mystery To Discoverers.”
Terry Betz with Sphere published by The Akron Beacon Journal
A thick folder of articles about the Betz sphere in the Florida Times-Union archive. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
A photo of Gerri Betz in the Florida Times-Union archive. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
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Episode 2
First Coast Magazine profiled Gerri Betz in 2016.
First Coast Magazine profiled Gerri Betz in 2016.
First Coast Magazine profiled Gerri Betz in 2016.
First Coast Magazine profiled Gerri Betz in 2016.
Gerri Betz’ business success is the feature of a 1965 Florida Times-Union article: “She Turned a White Elephant into Gold.” (Florida Times-Union Archive)
The newspaper’s Betz sphere archive folder also includes 24 articles just on Gerri — most of them predating the ball’s discovery. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
The newspaper’s Betz sphere archive folder also includes 24 articles just on Gerri — most of them predating the ball’s discovery. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
In 1972 Gerri Betz as a Republican for a state House seat. She lost that race. (Florida Times-Union Archive)
“My favorite photo of her is one where she looks really young. Her hair is back in a low ponytail. And she’s got some frizzy flyaways — because Florida. But she’s candidly laughing while trying to compose herself for the portrait. I just like it.” (Florida Times-Union Archive).
Gerri Betz makes the ballot for a Florida House of Representatives seat 18. She lost to incumbent Democrat Frank Carlucci. (Florida Times-Union Archive).
Gerri Betz, a mother of 6, started her own trucking business. (Florida Times-Union Archive).
Gerri Betz becomes a leader in a campaign against 10 city council members who supported the city purchasing a private bus line. The Florida Times-Union published an article “Petitioners in Recall ‘Confident.’"
In 1972 the Florida Times-Union published a story about Jacksonville City Council members wanting to strip a bus line permit from Gerri Betz. This happened after she spoke out against the city buying a private bus line and vowed to launch a recall campaign against 10 council members who supported the purchase.
The Florida Times-Union reported Gerri Betz, a plaintiff in a state supreme court case against the city’s buying a private bus company, refused to answer questions posed by city lawyers.
Betz Tiger Point Preserve is surrounded by awe-inspiring broad expanses of saltwater marsh. Stunning scenic views, as well as abundant wildlife, can be seen in this natural setting. Photo Credit: Will Dickey willdickey.com
More than a month after the Betz family found the odd ball on their property, a Palm Beach Post article reporter “Betzes Still Believe Stainless-Steel Globe Came From Outer Space.”
In regards to the attention her family’s received over the sphere, Gerri Betz tells reporters “If I knew what I know now, I wouldn’t have told anybody about what Terry found. I would have kept quiet.”
The Florida Times-Union publishes “Odd Balls Said Part of Valve.”
The Florida Times-Union reports a Jacksonville woman named Lottie Robinson has a ball similar to the Betz sphere.
Robert Edwards, president of Holley-Edwards Sales Inc. told the paper his company is a national distributor for the stainless steel balls used widely in paper mills throughout the country. He told reporters the Betz ball is part of a boiler blow-out valve.
Gerri Betz sits down with a young Florida Times-Union reporter Sandy Strickland to talk about her rumored haunted house.
Neff House Floor plans (Jacksonville Historical Society)
Neff House Floor plans (Jacksonville Historical Society)
Neff House Floor plans (Jacksonville Historical Society)
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Episode 3
About two weeks after initial reports of the sphere, artist James Durling-Jones of Taos, New Mexico told reporters the Betz’s sphere matched the description of a few metal spheres that had fallen off the roof of his VW bus in Jacksonville three years prior.
Artist James Durling Jones tells a reporter the Betz sphere may have been a ball he lost while driving through Jacksonville. His plan was to use them in a giant clock sculpture.
Sculptor James Durling-Jones and his daughter Sabrina pose with metal balls the artist planned to use in a new art piece. At the time of the interview in 1974, he thought the odd ball may have been one of several spheres he lost.
Jacksonville 1977
Professor J Allen Hynek describes the Betz sphere as being dull, heavily scratched having a seamless surface along with s small welded plus on the side. He said the ball doesn't emit radioactivity and isn't a UFO.
The Palm Beach Post reports the Betz sphere will be heading to the National Enquirer's Blue Ribbon Panel of UFO Investigators. The paper had a standing offer of $50,000 for anyone who can produce proof of a UFO.
Gerri Betz tells a reporter her son Terry was picked up by a private plane. He and the ball were taken to the National Enquirer's headquarters in Lantana, Florida.
The Tampa Tribune reports the mystery ball arrived at the National Enquirer's headquarters in Lantana, Florida. Employees nicknamed the ball Edward. The ball allegedly "rolled uphill with no apparent difficulty."
National Enquirer UFO panel scientists who studied the ball say the ball did not roll around oddly.
Gen. John Samford, USAF Intelligence Chief.
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Episode 4
Page 3 of NICAP's newsletter reports "mysterious steel sphere explained." The report details an analysis of the Betz sphere.
Page 3 of NICAP's newsletter reports "mysterious steel sphere explained." The report details an analysis of the Betz sphere.
Page 3 of NICAP's newsletter reports "mysterious steel sphere explained." The report details an analysis of the Betz sphere.
Page 3 of NICAP's newsletter reports "mysterious steel sphere explained." The report details an analysis of the Betz sphere.
The Center for UFO Studies lists Hynek's radio interview about the Betz sphere it its archives.
Gerri Betz tells a reporter expert Carl Williston from Omega Minus One research firm examined the ball for six hours.
Blue Ribbon UFO Scientists outline their conclusions about the Betz ball.
Scientist J Allen Hynek says the sphere might not be hollow.
Gerri Betz says tests show the ball is probably man-made. Hynek says he's lost all interest in the ball.
Experts Disagree on Florida Sphere Origin
Experts Disagree on Florida Sphere Origin
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Episode 5
Gerri Betz is quoted, "Who could say what's on another planet; even speculations have been proven wrong."
Gerri Betz says she can't prove she has the original ball her son found.
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