Sonic Boom in San Jose, 1960

Summary

In February 1960, a loud sonic boom startled residents of San Jose, California. The sound, described as a sudden and intense crackling, moved in a north-south direction and was reported by several people. Although the responsible aircraft was not seen, it was speculated that jet engines might have caused it. The hilly geography of the area, according to investigators, could have amplified the sound and its echoes, contributing to the confusion.

A woman living in the area described an unusual experience related to this event. She claimed to have felt a strange sensation of heat and developed skin rashes, which led her to visit the hospital. Doctors could not provide a clear explanation and diagnosed her with hives, something she had never experienced before. Additionally, she mentioned seeing a bright light in the hills in 1955, which was attributed to light reflecting from the Lick Observatory. Despite the investigations, no definitive conclusion was reached about the nature of these phenomena.