Ross Wesley LeBaron was a skilled machinist and inventor. His belief that heavenly beings used an advanced technology in their administrations through the universe led him to not only teach that the Gods traveled in spaceships, but also to build and fly his own “flying saucers” with family and friends on a park.
In 1971, a patent was published for a “Flying saucer craft”, created by Ross W. LeBaron years before. The assignee was Wham O Mfg. Co. The “Flying saucer craft” was a type of frisbee that had a hook for launching. According to the inventor,
There have long been reported sightings of saucer-shaped aircraft and it is well known that such craft have been developed for flight. The reported sightings, together with the worldwide emphasis currently being placed on interplanetary and other types of space travel have stimulated the desire on the part of children for toys that can be used to simulate such flights. It is for this reason that I have developed the present invention.
This invention fully simulates the reported flights of saucer shaped aircraft and provides a toy that will amuse and delight children for extended periods of time. In addition, by observing the flight patterns of the invention children are, even unwittingly, exposed to laws of aerodynamics applicable to such bodies and the invention may therefore be considered as a valuable teaching aid.
To read the the full text of the patent, click here: US3590518.
So far, we haven’t been able to determine if the product was ever manufactured by Wham-O, although the company had its flying saucer line.
Ross LeBaron, the Holy Order and the Church of the Firstborn 