Editing Area 51 — Key Persons Directory (section)

=== Whistleblowers and Disclosure Figures ===

==== Bob Lazar (born 1959) ====
Self-described former S-4 employee; claims to have worked on alien spacecraft propulsion systems near Area 51 from 1988–1989; appeared on KLAS-TV with George Knapp in May and November 1989; introduced S-4, Element 115, and the Sport Model to public consciousness; operates United Nuclear scientific supply company; subject of Jeremy Corbell's 2019 documentary; credentials disputed; LANL connection partially documented. The single most influential individual in the history of Area 51 UFO mythology.

==== George Knapp ====
Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist, KLAS-TV Las Vegas; conducted the original 1989 Lazar interviews; has covered Area 51 and UAP topics continuously for more than 35 years; co-author with Jeremy Corbell of various UAP-related media; the primary responsible journalist for bringing the Area 51 UFO narrative to the American public.

==== Jeffrey T. Richelson (1947–2017) ====
Senior fellow, National Security Archive, George Washington University; filed the 2005 FOIA request that resulted in the 2013 CIA declassification of Area 51; author of ''America's Eyes in Space'' and other works on the U.S. intelligence community; the civilian researcher most directly responsible for the official acknowledgment of Area 51.