This is the story of a forgotten genius, Alexander Weygers, a gifted sculptor and inventor whose UFO-like creation was once the realm of pure science fiction. His life and work have been rediscovered by art dealer Randy Hunter, who has turned his obsession into a mission to share Weygers’ legacy with the world.
Key Takeaways
- Alexander Weygers was a modern-day Leonardo da Vinci, known for his innovative spirit and artistic talent.
- Randy Hunter, an art dealer, became fascinated with Weygers and dedicated years to uncovering his story.
- Weygers patented the “Discopter,” a futuristic flying machine, in 1944, but it never became a reality.
- Hunter’s passion for Weygers has led to plans for a museum and a tribute to the inventor’s work.
The Discovery of a Hidden Genius
A couple of years ago, Randy Hunter received an email that promised the greatest nonfiction story never told. It was about Alexander Weygers, an inventor who had been forgotten by history. Intrigued, Randy began visiting Weygers’ former home, where he found a treasure trove of sketches, personal belongings, and artwork.
Weygers was born in 1901 in the Dutch East Indies. He moved to Europe to study engineering and later to the U.S. to pursue sculpting. After World War II, he settled in Carmel, California, where he built a unique life, creating art from recycled materials and teaching young artists.
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The Passion of Randy Hunter
Randy discovered Weygers in 2008 when his sculptures were first put on sale. He quickly became enamored with Weygers’ work and saw the potential to make him famous. Over the next decade, Randy invested countless hours and millions of dollars into uncovering Weygers’ life and creations. He produced a movie and wrote a book about the artist, convinced he had found a hidden genius.
The Discopter: A Visionary Invention
During his research, Randy stumbled upon something extraordinary: hand-drawn designs for an exotic aircraft from the 1920s. Weygers had invented the “Discopter,” a flying machine designed to take off vertically and float on a cushion of air. He patented this innovative concept in 1944 and attempted to sell it to various companies.
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As the idea of the Discopter gained traction, Weygers felt that the U.S. military had stolen his concept. He accused them of appropriating his designs, which he believed influenced popular culture, from architecture to movies. Despite his efforts, the Discopter never materialized, but its legacy lived on in the UFO phenomenon.
