Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation
Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent
GrantsClaire Hall, Amelia Turner, Gabriel P Trudeau
Institute of Sciences

Discussion Paper 1116
January 2024

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This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

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Discussion Paper 1116
January 2024

ABSTRACTInterstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO
Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent andTrademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link
between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States.
Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis
and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of lessthan 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables. Intriguingly, ourfindings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may
be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that leadto patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere
coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at playin the world of intellectual property. In conclusion, this study provides compelling
evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants
awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial
influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark furtherresearch, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena onearthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of thisworld!" Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO
records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps– or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

Keywords:

UFO sightings, Utah, correlation, US Patent Grants, National UFO Reporting Center, US Patentand Trademark Office, statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, p-value, technologicaladvancements, interstellar influence, intellectual property, cosmic forces, interstellar phenomena,This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchhuman technological progress, groundbreaking discoveries, flying saucers, USPTO records,
intergalactic copyright protection

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

I. Introduction
The quest for scientific inquiry often leads us down unexpected, and sometimes, otherworldly
paths. As we peer into the boundless expanse of the cosmos, we are compelled to consider thepotential impact of extraterrestrial phenomena on our earthly endeavors. In this study, we embark
on a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific investigation, as we seek tounravel the mysterious connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the issuance of patents inthe United States.
Many may scoff at the notion of extraterrestrial beings influencing the innovative output of thehuman race, dismissing it as mere science fiction. However, as the saying goes, "The truth is out
there," and perhaps it is hiding in plain sight among the statistical correlations and numericalanalyses.
As we delve into this curious correlation, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens
eat clowns? Because they taste funny! In a similar vein, the eyebrow-raising correlation we areabout to unveil may elicit both skepticism and amusement, prompting us to contemplate theinterplay of cosmic events and human ingenuity.
Our investigation delves into the question of whether the UFO sightings dotting the Utah skies
have cast a shadow, or perhaps a beam of extraterrestrial inspiration, on the inventive minds ofindividuals across the United States. The unexpected nature of our inquiry is reminiscent of aflying saucer sighting – an enigma that beckons us to peer through the telescope of statisticalanalysis in search of a potential cosmic conundrum.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchII. Literature Review
Prior investigations into the link between extraterrestrial phenomena and human innovation havebeen scarce, with few venturing into the uncharted territory of correlating UFO sightings withpatent grants. However, Smith et al. (2015) ventured boldly into this domain, laying thegroundwork for our own research. They hypothesized that UFO sightings may have an impact on
the creative thinking of individuals and organizations, potentially leading to an increase in patentactivity. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) suggested a potential connection between cosmic
visitations and the surge in technological advancement, providing a launching pad for oursubsequent exploration.
Turning to more lighthearted sources, "UFOs: Fact or Fiction" by David A. Aguilar, and "PatentPending in 24 Hours" by Richard Stim and David Pressman, provided valuable insights into theintersection of otherworldly phenomena and intellectual property rights. Furthermore, thefictional works "The X-Files: Goblins" by Charles Grant and "Men in Black" by Steve Perry,
although not rooted in empirical evidence, offered entertaining perspectives on the coexistence ofextraterrestrial encounters and human inventive capacity.
Drawing inspiration from the world of board games, the popular title "Cosmic Encounter" byFuture Pastimes and "UFO: Enemy Unknown" by Mythos Games and MicroProse simulated
intergalactic interactions, offering thought-provoking parallels to our investigation.
As we venture further into the realm of interstellar innovation, it is essential to maintain a senseof humor, reminiscent of a classic dad joke: Why did the UFO refuse to land? It didn't want toget stuck in a patent dispute! In similar fashion, as we navigate through the cosmic expanse ofstatistical analyses and astronomical correlations, it is crucial to uphold a lighthearted

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchperspective on the often perplexing intersection of extraterrestrial influences and earthlyendeavors.

III. Methodology
The methodology employed in this study encompassed a comprehensive collection and analysisof data pertaining to UFO sightings in Utah and US patent grants. Data on UFO sightings wasobtained from the National UFO Reporting Center, encompassing reports from 1975 to 2020.
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) served as the primary source of informationregarding patents granted during the same time period.
To extract the UFO sighting data, we employed an innovative approach involving the use ofspecialized algorithms designed to sift through the abundance of online reports. These algorithms
filtered out known celestial objects, aircraft, and drones, focusing exclusively on reports withcharacteristics indicative of unidentified flying objects. This approach ensured that the dataset
comprised genuine UFO sightings, minimizing the inclusion of false positives that could
compromise the integrity of the analysis.
Upon obtaining the UFO sighting data, we meticulously cross-referenced the geographicalcoordinates of each reported sighting with the corresponding proximity to Utah. This
geographical filtering allowed us to isolate instances that pertained specifically to the airspaceover Utah, thus facilitating a targeted examination of the potential impact of UFO sightings inthis region.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchIn parallel, the data concerning US patent grants was subjected to a rigorous categorization
process, classifying patents based on their respective technological domains. This categorization
enabled us to discern patterns in the distribution of patent grants across various sectors, shedding
light on potential areas of overlap with the purported influence of UFO sightings.
As we delved into the intricate web of data, we were reminded of a classic UFO-related dad joke:
Why did the alien break up with the moon? Because it was just too "space-y"! Appropriately, ourmethodology sought to navigate through the vast expanse of data, aiming to uncover any
semblance of connection between extraterrestrial encounters and human innovations.

IV. Results
The results of our analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 between UFOsightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States over the period of 1975
to 2020. This indicates a strong positive association between these two variables. It seems that
the UFO sightings in Utah may indeed be linked to the innovative output reflected in the patent
grants across the US. It appears that Utah's skies are not just filled with stars but also with a hefty
dose of extraterrestrial inspiration – talk about "heavenly" creativity!
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.8596083 suggests that approximately 85.96% of thevariability in the number of patents granted can be explained by the fluctuations in UFO
sightings. It's as if the aliens are leaving their unmistakable mark on the landscape oftechnological advancement, subtly nudging human inventors in a cosmic game of "Simon says."This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

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The statistical analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the observed
correlation is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance. This strengthens the argument for abona fide relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and patent grants in the US, standing as atestament to the profound influence of otherworldly phenomena on our earthly innovations.

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year
The figure (Fig. 1) showcases the scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO
sightings in Utah and US patent grants, providing a visual testament to the cosmic connection atplay. It seems that the stars, quite literally, have aligned to bestow their inventive brilliance upon
the minds of earthly innovators.
In conclusion, our research has unearthed a compelling relationship between UFO sightings in
Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States, opening the doors to a new realm ofinterstellar innovation. As we ponder the celestial forces at play in our technological progress,
one cannot help but wonder: Are we truly the masterminds behind our inventions, or are wemerely conduits for extraterrestrial ingenuity? It seems that when it comes to the cosmic quest
for innovation, the sky is not the limit – it's just the beginning!

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

V. Discussion
The findings of this study shed light on the intriguing correlation between UFO sightings in Utahand the number of patents granted in the United States, reinforcing prior research that ventured
into the uncharted territory of extraterrestrial influences on human innovation. The statisticallysignificant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01 provides
compelling evidence of a relationship between these two variables, suggesting that the presenceof otherworldly visitors may indeed be influencing the surge of inventive ideas leading to patent
grants.
Echoing the humorous tone of prior research, it appears that the extraterrestrials have been
discreetly beaming their innovative prowess into the creative minds of earthly inventors, akin toa cosmic game of "Simon says." This revelation prompts a classic dad joke: Why did the UFO
refuse to land? It didn't want to get stuck in a patent dispute! The humor aside, our results lend
credence to the notion that the stellar visitors may be playing a substantive role in the inventive
landscape, albeit behind the scenes – or should we say, beyond the stratosphere?
The substantial r-squared value of 0.8596083 suggests that nearly 86% of the variability in thenumber of patents granted can be attributed to the fluctuations in UFO sightings. It seems thatthe extraterrestrial influence may not be merely a fleeting apparition but a steady celestial force
guiding the course of human innovation. This thought provokes the question: are we thearchitects of our inventions, or are we merely conduits for interstellar ingenuity? It's a cosmic
conundrum that adds a touch of intergalactic mystique to the realm of intellectual property.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

The visual representation of the robust correlation in the scatterplot (Fig. 1) further bolsters theargument for a genuine connection between UFO sightings in Utah and patent grants in the US.
The alignment of the data points in the plot is reminiscent of the stars aligning to bestow theirinventive brilliance upon the minds of human innovators, underscoring the influence of cosmic
forces on our earthly endeavors.
Thus, our findings not only support existing research but also act as a catalyst for further
explorations into the impact of interstellar phenomena on human creativity and technologicalprogress. It seems that the quest for groundbreaking discoveries truly transcends earthly
confines, delving into the enigmatic realm of interstellar innovation.
In this cosmic dance of statistical analyses and astronomical correlations, our study serves as atestament to the profound influence of otherworldly phenomena on our earthly innovations. Afterall, when it comes to the nexus of cosmic curiosity and earthly ingenuity, it appears that the sky
may not be the limit – it's just the beginning!

VI. Conclusion
In conclusion, our study has uncovered a remarkable correlation between UFO sightings in Utahand the number of patents granted in the United States. It appears that the extraterrestrial
presence hovering above Utah has been more than just an object of curiosity; it has served as acatalyst for innovative ideas that materialize as patents across the nation. This correlation
prompts us to reconsider the boundaries of human creativity and the potential influence ofThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

cosmic visitors on our technological progress. It seems the "truth" about extraterrestrial
inspiration may indeed be "out there" among the stars, waiting to be discovered!
As we reflect on these findings, one cannot help but enjoy a classic dad joke: Why did the alien
refuse to take the UFO home? He didn't want to get caught in a "space" jam! Just like the alien in
the joke, the extraterrestrial influence on earthly patent grants evokes a chuckle and invites us toponder the cosmic humor interwoven in our scientific pursuits.
Our analysis has opened a portal to a new realm of interstellar innovation, one that beckons
further exploration and inquiry. However, it appears that, at least for now, the "galactic" nature ofthis correlation remains an enigma best left to ponder over a cup of coffee or perhaps a UFOshaped cookie. Therefore, it is with a lighthearted nod to the stars above that we assert: No more
research is needed in this area.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research