As early as the year 1890 suggestions were made that the hydrocarbon accumulations (the oil and gas pools), which were then known to exist, had been derived from hydrocarbons brought to the earth enclosed in meteorites--or falling stars. Apparently ignorant of this, recently an astronomer of considerable standing in his profession, named Fred Hoyle, published a book entitled Frontiers of Astronomy in which he, after dismissing with scorn the idea of the organic theory of the origin of hydrocarbons, again suggested in all seriousness that the meteorites were the source of the hydrocarbon accumulations on our planet, the earth. He also suggested that the atmosphere of the planet Venus is a hydrocarbon "smog," and in this he has support from a writer named Immanuel Velikovsk .

A comparison of the 1916 version of the geologists' thinking regarding the organic origin of oil and gas is made with that of a 1956 version as it appeared in our Bulletin. It was concluded that there really is very little change in the fundamental ideas during those forty years with respect to the organic origin of hydrocarbons. This then posed the question, "Are we all wrong with our organic theory?" In other words, are we, instead of being in a groove, in a rut in our thinking with respect to the origin of the hydrocarbons? If not, what are we doing to enlighten the public, to say nothing of our scientific colleagues, the astronomers, chemists, and others about those problems concerning which we are certain, uncertain, or not sure at all?

To explain the detection of hydrocarbons in the meteorites it is suggested that the hydrocarbons found within them indicate that there must have been life which gave rise to the hydrocarbons on a planetary body which was disrupted, and which planet may have existed between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This is where many of the older and also more recent astronomers believe such a planet did exist, as evidenced by the orbits of the asteroids. The hydrocarbons within the meteorites could of course, also have had a volcanic origin on such a former planet.

Finally it is pointed out that any astronomical theory regarding the origin of the hydrocarbons, the earth, our solar system, our galaxy, and the Universe must fit into the accepted facts and observations of geology, and likewise that any geological theory with respect to any or all of its problems must also fit in with the accepted astronomical observations and theories. Because of this it is suggested that closer cooperation and exchange of opinions and data between the various sciences must sooner or later be effected, lest we repeat the mistakes made at the Tower of Babel, where as you all should know, a "confusion of tongues" wrecked the project.