1678 pamphlet on the "Mowing-Devil".The 1678 pamphlet on the "Mowing-Devil".The earliest recorded image resembling a crop circle earliest recorded image resembling a crop circle is depicted in a 17th century English woodcut is depicted in a 17th century English woodcut called the Mowing-Devil.called the Mowing-Devil.

The pamphlet containing the image states that The pamphlet containing the image states that the farmer, disgusted at the wage his mower was the farmer, disgusted at the wage his mower was demanding for his work, insisted that he would demanding for his work, insisted that he would rather have "the devil himself" perform the task.rather have "the devil himself" perform the task.

A historical report of crop circles, republished A historical report of crop circles, republished (from Nature, 1880)[4][5] in January 2000 (from Nature, 1880)[4][5] in January 2000 Journal of Meteorology[6] describes the 1880 Journal of Meteorology[6] describes the 1880 investigations by amateur scientist John Rand investigations by amateur scientist John Rand Capron:Capron:

The storms about this part of Surrey have been lately The storms about this part of Surrey have been lately local and violent, and the effects produced in some local and violent, and the effects produced in some instances curious. Visiting a neighbour's farm on instances curious. Visiting a neighbour's farm on Wednesday evening (21st), we found a field of standing Wednesday evening (21st), we found a field of standing wheat considerably knocked about, not as an entirety, wheat considerably knocked about, not as an entirety, but in patches forming, as viewed from a distance, but in patches forming, as viewed from a distance, circular spots....I could not trace locally any circular spots....I could not trace locally any circumstances accounting for the peculiar forms of the circumstances accounting for the peculiar forms of the patches in the field, nor indicating whether it was wind patches in the field, nor indicating whether it was wind or rain, or both combined, which had caused them, or rain, or both combined, which had caused them, beyond the general evidence everywhere of heavy beyond the general evidence everywhere of heavy rainfall. They were suggestive to me of some cyclonic rainfall. They were suggestive to me of some cyclonic wind action wind action

Most historical accounts of crop circles are anecdotal, Most historical accounts of crop circles are anecdotal, in some cases describing crops being cut or burnt in some cases describing crops being cut or burnt rather than flattened.[8][9][10] One report given in 1966 rather than flattened.[8][9][10] One report given in 1966 from the town of Tully, Queensland, Australia, came from the town of Tully, Queensland, Australia, came from a sugar cane farmer who said he witnessed a from a sugar cane farmer who said he witnessed a saucer-shaped craft rise 30 or 40 feet (12 m) up from a saucer-shaped craft rise 30 or 40 feet (12 m) up from a swamp and then fly away. When he went to investigate swamp and then fly away. When he went to investigate the location where he thought the saucer had landed, he the location where he thought the saucer had landed, he found the reeds intricately woven in a clockwise fashion found the reeds intricately woven in a clockwise fashion on top of the water. Reportedly, the woven reeds are on top of the water. Reportedly, the woven reeds are said to have been able to hold the weight of 10 men.said to have been able to hold the weight of 10 men.

Crop circles arose public attention in the late 1970s as Crop circles arose public attention in the late 1970s as many circles began appearing throughout the English many circles began appearing throughout the English countryside. This phenomenon became widely known countryside. This phenomenon became widely known in the late 1980s, after the media started to report crop in the late 1980s, after the media started to report crop circles in Hampshire and Wiltshire. To date, circles in Hampshire and Wiltshire. To date, approximately 10,000 crop circles have been reported approximately 10,000 crop circles have been reported internationally, from locations such as the former internationally, from locations such as the former Soviet Union, the UK, Japan, the U.S. and Canada. Soviet Union, the UK, Japan, the U.S. and Canada. Skeptics note a correlation between crop circles, recent Skeptics note a correlation between crop circles, recent media coverage, and the absence of fencing and/or media coverage, and the absence of fencing and/or anti-trespassing legislation.anti-trespassing legislation.

Although farmers have expressed concern at the Although farmers have expressed concern at the damage caused to their crops, local response to damage caused to their crops, local response to the appearance of crop circles can be the appearance of crop circles can be enthusiastic, with locals taking advantage of the enthusiastic, with locals taking advantage of the increase of tourism and visits from scientists, increase of tourism and visits from scientists, crop circle researchers, and individuals seeking crop circle researchers, and individuals seeking spiritual experiences.[14] The market for crop-spiritual experiences.[14] The market for crop-circle interest has consequently generated bus or circle interest has consequently generated bus or helicopter tours of circle sites, walking tours, T-helicopter tours of circle sites, walking tours, T-shirts and book sales.shirts and book sales.

The last decade has witnessed crop formations The last decade has witnessed crop formations with increased size and complexity of form, with increased size and complexity of form, some featuring as many as 2000 different shapes,some featuring as many as 2000 different shapes,[15] and some incorporating complex [15] and some incorporating complex mathematical and scientific characteristics.mathematical and scientific characteristics.

[edit] Bower and ChorleyIn 1991, self-professed pranksters Doug [edit] Bower and ChorleyIn 1991, self-professed pranksters Doug Bower and Dave Chorley made headlines claiming it was they Bower and Dave Chorley made headlines claiming it was they who started the phenomenon in 1978 with the use of simple who started the phenomenon in 1978 with the use of simple tools consisting of a plank of wood, rope, and a baseball cap tools consisting of a plank of wood, rope, and a baseball cap fitted with a loop of wire to help them walk in a straight line. fitted with a loop of wire to help them walk in a straight line. Inspired by Australian crop circle accounts from 1966, Doug and Inspired by Australian crop circle accounts from 1966, Doug and Dave reportedly made more than 200 crop circles from 1978–Dave reportedly made more than 200 crop circles from 1978–1991 and claimed to be responsible for most if not all circles 1991 and claimed to be responsible for most if not all circles made prior to 1987.[19][20][21] After their announcement, in a made prior to 1987.[19][20][21] After their announcement, in a demonstration the two men made a crop circle in one hour.demonstration the two men made a crop circle in one hour.[citation needed] Despite general acceptance of their story, crop [citation needed] Despite general acceptance of their story, crop circle researchers remain skeptical of many of their claims.[21]circle researchers remain skeptical of many of their claims.[21][22][23] Since their revelation, crop formations have continued to [22][23] Since their revelation, crop formations have continued to appear each year, often in greater number, size, and complexity.appear each year, often in greater number, size, and complexity.

Art and businessSince the early 1990s the UK Art and businessSince the early 1990s the UK arts collective founded by artists Rod Dickinson arts collective founded by artists Rod Dickinson and John Lundberg (and subsequently includes and John Lundberg (and subsequently includes artists Wil Russell and Rob Irving), named the artists Wil Russell and Rob Irving), named the Circlemakers, have been creating some crop Circlemakers, have been creating some crop circles in the UK and around the world both as circles in the UK and around the world both as part of their art practice and for commercial part of their art practice and for commercial clients.clients.

On the night of July 11–12, 1992, a crop-circle On the night of July 11–12, 1992, a crop-circle making competition, for a prize of several making competition, for a prize of several thousand UK pounds (partly funded by the thousand UK pounds (partly funded by the Arthur Koestler Foundation), was held in Arthur Koestler Foundation), was held in Berkshire. The winning entry was produced by Berkshire. The winning entry was produced by three Westland Helicopters engineers, using three Westland Helicopters engineers, using rope, PVC pipe, a trestle and a ladder. Another rope, PVC pipe, a trestle and a ladder. Another competitor used a small garden roller, a plank competitor used a small garden roller, a plank and some rope.and some rope.

In 2002, Discovery Channel commissioned five In 2002, Discovery Channel commissioned five aeronautics and astronautics graduate students aeronautics and astronautics graduate students from MIT to create crop circles of their own, from MIT to create crop circles of their own, aiming to duplicate some of the features claimed aiming to duplicate some of the features claimed to distinguish "real" crop circles from the known to distinguish "real" crop circles from the known fakes such as those created by Bower and fakes such as those created by Bower and Chorley. The creation of the circle was recorded Chorley. The creation of the circle was recorded and used in the Discovery Channel documentary and used in the Discovery Channel documentary Crop Circles: Mysteries in the Fields.Crop Circles: Mysteries in the Fields.

implicationsIn 1992 Hungarian youths Gábor Takács and implicationsIn 1992 Hungarian youths Gábor Takács and Róbert Dallos, both then 17, were the first people to face legal Róbert Dallos, both then 17, were the first people to face legal action after creating a crop circle. Takács and Dallos, of the St. action after creating a crop circle. Takács and Dallos, of the St. Stephen Agricultural Technicum, a high school in Hungary Stephen Agricultural Technicum, a high school in Hungary specializing in agriculture, created a 36-metre (118 ft) diameter specializing in agriculture, created a 36-metre (118 ft) diameter crop circle in a wheat field near Székesfehérvár, 43 miles (69 km) crop circle in a wheat field near Székesfehérvár, 43 miles (69 km) southwest of Budapest, on June 8, 1992. On September 3, the southwest of Budapest, on June 8, 1992. On September 3, the pair appeared on Hungarian TV and exposed the circle as a hoax, pair appeared on Hungarian TV and exposed the circle as a hoax, showing photos of the field before and after the circle was made. showing photos of the field before and after the circle was made. As a result, Aranykalász Co., the owners of the land, sued the As a result, Aranykalász Co., the owners of the land, sued the youngsters for 630,000 Ft (approximately US$3,000) in damages. youngsters for 630,000 Ft (approximately US$3,000) in damages. The presiding judge ruled that the students were only responsible The presiding judge ruled that the students were only responsible for the damage caused in the circle itself, amounting to about for the damage caused in the circle itself, amounting to about 6,000 Ft (approximately US$30), and that 99% of the damage to 6,000 Ft (approximately US$30), and that 99% of the damage to the crops was caused by the thousands of visitors who flocked the crops was caused by the thousands of visitors who flocked to Székesfehérvár following the media's promotion of the circle. to Székesfehérvár following the media's promotion of the circle. The fine was eventually paid by the TV show, as were the The fine was eventually paid by the TV show, as were the students' legal fees.[citation needed]students' legal fees.[citation needed]

In 2000, Matthew Williams became the first man In 2000, Matthew Williams became the first man in the UK to be arrested for causing criminal in the UK to be arrested for causing criminal damage after making a crop circle near Devizes.damage after making a crop circle near Devizes.

ExplanationsFormations usually are made ExplanationsFormations usually are made overnight, but have also been made during the overnight, but have also been made during the day. While it is not known how all crop circles day. While it is not known how all crop circles are formed, various theories have been put forth are formed, various theories have been put forth ranging from natural phenomenon and man-ranging from natural phenomenon and man-made hoaxes, to the paranormal and even made hoaxes, to the paranormal and even animals.animals.

Man-madeThe most widely known method for a Man-madeThe most widely known method for a person or group to construct a crop formation person or group to construct a crop formation is to tie one end of a rope to an anchor point, is to tie one end of a rope to an anchor point, and the other end to a board which is used to and the other end to a board which is used to crush the plants. Some crop formations are paid crush the plants. Some crop formations are paid for by companies who use them as advertising.for by companies who use them as advertising.[32] As an explanation of some of the more [32] As an explanation of some of the more complex formations, physicists have suggested complex formations, physicists have suggested the use of GPS, lasers, and portable microwave the use of GPS, lasers, and portable microwave generators.generators.

WeatherSome have suggested crop circles are the result WeatherSome have suggested crop circles are the result of extraordinary meteorological phenomena ranging of extraordinary meteorological phenomena ranging from freak tornadoes to ball lightning.[35] The first from freak tornadoes to ball lightning.[35] The first known published reference to the possibility of crop known published reference to the possibility of crop formations being the result of natural phenomena dates formations being the result of natural phenomena dates back to 1880 in which investigator and amateur scientist back to 1880 in which investigator and amateur scientist John Rand Capron theorized the formations may have John Rand Capron theorized the formations may have been the product of "cyclonic wind action..." [6][7] been the product of "cyclonic wind action..." [6][7] Physicist Stephen Hawking expressed the opinion in Physicist Stephen Hawking expressed the opinion in 1992 that, "Corn circles are either hoaxes or formed by 1992 that, "Corn circles are either hoaxes or formed by vortex movement of air".vortex movement of air".

Sketch of a 'spaceship' creating crop circles, sent Sketch of a 'spaceship' creating crop circles, sent to UK Ministry of Defence circa 1998.Since to UK Ministry of Defence circa 1998.Since appearing in the media in the 1970s, crop circles appearing in the media in the 1970s, crop circles have become the subject of speculation by have become the subject of speculation by various paranormal, ufological, and anomalistic various paranormal, ufological, and anomalistic investigators ranging from proposals that they investigators ranging from proposals that they were created by bizarre meteorological were created by bizarre meteorological phenomena to messages from extraterrestrial phenomena to messages from extraterrestrial beings.beings.

The location of many crop circles near ancient The location of many crop circles near ancient sites such as Stonehenge, barrows, and chalk sites such as Stonehenge, barrows, and chalk horses has led many New Age belief systems to horses has led many New Age belief systems to incorporate crop circles, speculating their incorporate crop circles, speculating their existence in relation to ley lines.[38][41][42]existence in relation to ley lines.[38][41][42]

Some have related crop circles to the Gaia Some have related crop circles to the Gaia hypothesis, alleging that "Gaia", the earth, is hypothesis, alleging that "Gaia", the earth, is actually alive and that crop circles are messages actually alive and that crop circles are messages or responses to stimuli such as global warming or responses to stimuli such as global warming and human pollution. It asserts that the earth and human pollution. It asserts that the earth may be modeled as if a single super-organism, in may be modeled as if a single super-organism, in that earthly components (e.g. biota, climate, that earthly components (e.g. biota, climate, temperature, sunlight, etc.) influence each other temperature, sunlight, etc.) influence each other and are organized to function and develop as a and are organized to function and develop as a whole.whole.