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Bigfoot <span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>  Bigfoot is a hairy biped reported in the United States.
HistorySightings of human-like, hair covered creatures have been reported in the United States since at least the mid-19th century. Early journalists interpreted these in a variety of ways, including feral humans and "gorillas" (following the discovery of that African great ape). Sporadic interest followed, with more coverage of the possibly related Sasquatch in Canada (although the Sasquatch was sometimes perceived as more human than contemporary concepts of Bigfoot). The situation changed in 1958. Jerry Crew found very large footprints near the logging site where he was employed in Northern California. A photograph of Crew with a cast of a footprint made the newspapers, and the term "Bigfoot" became common usage. In 1967, a short piece of movie film was shot by Roger Patterson, again in Northern California. It shows what appears to be a female Bigfoot walking away from the camera, and looking back over its shoulder. This widely-reproduced movie became iconic of Bigfoot, and was part of a documentary (Mysterious Monsters) released in 1976. Since then, there have been hundreds of reports of a large, hairy hominid or ape, with the distinguishing characteristic of a 16-to-20-inch footprint. There have also been many obvious forgeries and hoaxes, suppositions about UFOs or supernatural connections, but no clear answers. Some suggest the beast is a relative of Gigantopithecus, an extinct primate of China. In December 2002, Ray Wallace (Jerry Crew's boss) of Centralia, Washington, died, and his family claimed that Ray started the Bigfoot frenzy in 1958 when he left behind giant footprints (made with special shoes carved from alder wood) near the logging site as a practical joke. Wallace is widely believed, even within the Bigfoot community, to have been responsible for some hoaxes. Some newspapers reported the story as Wallace having hoaxed the Patterson movie, although that is not what Wallace's family was reporting. Significant Sightings1924: Albert Ostman Bigfoot case\Albert Ostman is kidnapped by a Bigfoot, and spends several days with the Bigfoot's family before escaping. Extreme as the story sounds, it is presented seriously by several leading researchers. 1924: Fred Beck and others are attacked in a cabin after one of them shoots at a Bigfoot. The area is still called Ape Canyon today. 1958: Jerry Crew, a logger employed by Ray Wallace, finds large footprints. A photo of a cast of the print appears in the newspaper, and the term Bigfoot is popularized. 1967: October 20 Roger Patterson takes the most famous film of a Bigfoot (the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot Film). 2000: Psychologist Dr. Matthew Johnson reports sighting a Bigfoot. The story receives widespread publicity. EvidenceIn addition to the reports, other evidence has been presented. The footprints are considered by some to be the best evidence. While hoaxes have certainly occured, some footprints are harder to explain. Scientists Jeff Meldrum and Grover Krantz have presented arguments in favor of some of the footprints being representative of an unrecognized primate. What do they say indicates that some tracks are made by living creatures? In a track line, the footprints show variability, which would be expected as a living foot encountered different obstacles and grades. The anatomy is not simply an exagerrated human foot, but there are significant differences (in length ratios of different parts, for example). Meldrum argues that the relatively flat (but not rigid) foot is similar to ape feet and to fossil human (but not homo sapiens) feet. It has also been claimed that individual Bigfoot can be recognized by their tracks. Feet are not the only body parts that have left their mark. Some hand prints have been found, and even buttock prints. The Skookum Cast appears to show the lower half of a Bigfoot where it laid in the mud on its side Sound recordings of distinctive Bigfoot vocalizations have also been put forward. Analysis has yielded differing interpretations. The Patterson movie has been dissected by various experts. Some support it, and some reject it. Other stills and movies also exist, but none of these has had the same cultural impact. Statistical analysis is another approach. If a statistical analysis of adult human heights was performed, a bell-shaped curve would appear. Most people would fall into the same somewhat central range, and then there would be fewer numbers that were very tall or especially short. This bell-shaped curve is common in nature. Bigfoot track-lengths have been said to show this bell-shaped curve. It is also typical that animals tend to be taller as measurements are taken going North from the equator. It has been stated that Alaskan reports average out taller than Canadian reports which average out taller than California reports. While this evidence argues against hoaxers ignorant of primatology, it doesn't convince mainstream scientific opinion. Theories
Related ReportsBigfoot has become a widely-used term that may encompass a variety of phenomena. The term has been used for the Skunk Ape in Florida, the early 21st century reports in Malaysia, and many more. These may or may not have the same root cause(s). Documentaries and NonfictionTheatrical ReleasesMysterious Monsters (1976). This documentary, narrated by Peter Graves, may have been many people's first exposure to the Patterson-Gimlin film. The studio, Sunn Classics, also produced other documentaries on controversial topics. Mysterious Monsters is available on DVD from Retroflicks. Television NonfictionOn the Trail of Bigfoot Investigations of the Unexplained (one segment) Series:History's Mysteries Series: Is It Real? Series: Weird Travels Series: Sci Fi Investigates BooksPlease see the Bigfoot Books category Appearances in FictionMovie FictionHarry and the Hendersons (movie) (1987) Sasquatch Mountain (tv movie) (2006) Television FictionSteve Austin, the lead character in the TV series Six Million Dollar Man, fought Bigfoot in a two-part episode that first aired in February of 1976. Harry and the Hendersons (tv series) (1991-1993) Popular Culture
See AlsoExternal Links
Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization
Categories: Bigfoot | Hairy Bipeds | Hoaxes | Legends | California Paranormal | Florida Paranormal | Texas Paranormal
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