Omond M. Solandt

Omond McKillop Solandt (1909-1993) was a Canadian scientist and engineer, renowned for his leadership in government science. As Chairman of the Defence Research Board (DRB) from 1946 to 1956, he played a pivotal role in Canada's early UFO investigations. In 1952, Solandt initiated a formal request to establish a government committee, dubbed Project Second Story, chaired by Dr. Peter Millman, to analyze flying saucer reports. The committee included representatives from Air and Naval Intelligence, Military Operations and Planning, and DRB members, reflecting significant official interest. This followed Wilbert Smith's Project Magnet. Solandt, a friend of UFO researcher Dr. James McDonald, addressed public perceptions of rockets, germs, and UFOs amid Cold War anxieties. No specific publications or testimony from Solandt on UFOs are noted, but his efforts marked Canada's structured entry into UFO studies.