David Peck Todd

David Peck Todd (1855-1930) was an American astronomer and professor at Amherst College. He led one of the earliest organized efforts to detect extraterrestrial intelligence in August 1924, during Mars' close approach to Earth. Todd directed a project using a U.S. Naval Observatory dirigible to elevate a radio receiver 3 km aloft, tuned to 8-9 km wavelengths, with military support from Admiral Edward W. Eberle and cryptographer William F. Friedman. Collaborating with inventor Charles Francis Jenkins, they employed a 'radio-camera' to record potential Martian signals on photographic paper, capturing mysterious dots and dashes dubbed 'Martian signals.' Though not confirmed as extraterrestrial, this preceded modern SETI like Project Ozma. No direct ties to UAP/UFO programs or military UFO initiatives are documented; his work focused on Mars communication.