The Mysterious Genius Who Patented the UFO

This is the incredible story of a forgotten genius—a gifted sculptor, inventor, and artist whose UFO-like creation was years ahead of its time. His name was Alexander Weygers, and although he was a modern-day Leonardo da Vinci, his remarkable contributions were largely ignored by history. But one man, Randy Hunter, became obsessed with uncovering Weygers’ legacy, transforming his life into a tribute to this unsung visionary.

A few years ago, Randy Hunter, an art dealer with an eye for hidden talent, received an email that promised the greatest nonfiction story never told. It was about an inventor, a mysterious genius who lived on the outskirts of Silicon Valley and had created amazing inventions—one of which was a flying saucer-like craft. Intrigued, Randy set off on a journey to uncover the life of Alexander Weygers, whose obsession with the past and his work with discarded materials led him to build a house from recycled materials and a blacksmith studio filled with handmade tools and sculptures.

Weygers, born in 1901 in the Dutch East Indies, had studied engineering in Europe and sculpting in the U.S. By the end of World War II, he had settled in Carmel, California, where he began teaching art and toolmaking. His ability to create beauty from things other people threw away turned him into a cult figure. Young people from all over the world came to learn from him, and Weygers’ sculptural work earned him a reputation as a genius in his own right.

In 2008, Randy discovered Weygers’ work when a collection of his sculptures went up for sale. As an art dealer, Randy recognized the potential for fame, believing Weygers was a hidden treasure. However, what started as a business deal soon turned into an all-consuming passion. Over the next decade, Randy spent millions of dollars and countless hours tracking down Weygers’ personal belongings, sketches, and artworks. He even made a film and wrote a book about him, convinced that he had uncovered a forgotten genius.

But Randy’s search for Weygers took a surprising turn. Amid his research, he discovered blueprints for an exotic flying machine—a design for what Weygers called the “Discopter.” This vertical takeoff aircraft, which used a cushion of air to float, resembled the iconic flying saucers that became so popular in UFO culture. Weygers had patented the Discopter in 1944, but after sending letters to numerous companies and military organizations about his invention, he felt that the U.S. government had stolen his idea. His invention never became a reality, but Weygers believed that his ideas had been secretly absorbed into popular culture, influencing everything from architecture to films.

As Randy continued to gather evidence of Weygers’ groundbreaking work, he grew increasingly determined to share the inventor’s legacy with the world. His obsession with Weygers became a way of life, filling his home with rare artifacts, books, and memorabilia related to Weygers’ life and work. He even invested $1.6 million into buying the land where Weygers had once lived, and he planned to rebuild the artist’s studio, creating a museum dedicated to his life and inventions. Randy’s home became a shrine to Weygers, a space where the boundary between Randy’s own life and the inventor’s world blurred.

Despite the extraordinary lengths Randy went to, his journey was not without its struggles. In late 2017, Randy began battling cancer, which left him in constant pain and made it difficult to continue his research. But Randy remained undeterred, convinced that his mission was worth every sacrifice. He continued his work, determined to see Weygers’ name and invention known to the world. Randy’s story is both inspiring and heartbreaking—an obsession that transformed his life, but one he may not see to its end.

The story of Alexander Weygers and his Discopter is a tale of genius, persistence, and missed opportunities—a vision that might have changed the world if only it had been recognized in time. Randy Hunter may not have succeeded in making Weygers a household name yet, but in his dedication to this forgotten genius, he has built a lasting tribute to the artist who lived by his own rules and created his legacy with his own hands.

If you were to meet Alexander Weygers today, Randy says, he would probably tell him that he’s doing the right thing. And perhaps, in some way, Randy is giving Weygers the recognition he never received in life. Through his passion, his obsession, and his unwavering belief in Weygers’ brilliance, Randy has ensured that this lost genius will not be forgotten. The story of Weygers, the inventor who built a flying saucer and lived off discarded objects, continues to inspire those who are willing to look beyond the ordinary and see the genius in the forgotten.