In 1932, J.M. Funk (1892-1941), an American aviation engineer, introduced his concept of a Cycle of Prosperity and Depression, proposing a 56-year cycle in US economic activity. Although this concept garnered some attention during his lifetime, it was largely overlooked by mainstream economists and academia. Funk considered the cycle so significant that he delivered numerous lectures and published a pamphlet, The 56-Year Cycle in American Business Activity, to promote his theory. While the cycle might have faded into obscurity, it was revived through the writings of financial astrologer LCdr. David Williams (1947, 1959, 1982), who extensively discussed Funk's work, helping to bring the theory to a broader audience. Funk was one of the few individuals to predict both the economic upheavals of the early 1930s and the subsequent recoveries in 1933 and 1935. David Williams recounts:
"During the mid-1930’s, a Middle Western cable manufacturer came into the author’s office in New York and presented him with a pamphlet on Philocracy, written in 1932 by J. M. Funk of Ottowa, Illinois in which the latter propounded a theory of Economic Cycles, which he stated are, “a series of events (produced by ‘cause and effect’) which recur in the same order.” [...] Funk stated: “A knowledge of the present and history is therefore a key to the future. Until Government Standards are based upon the recognition of exterior forces (which govern human conduct) history will repeat itself. THE CHART WILL PREDICT THE FUTURE because the human make-up includes, aspiration, greed, intemperance, fickleness, etc., which traits are governed by endurance; endurance is governed by exterior forces which fluctuate in rhythm and tempo as constantly as the Sun in its journey through the heavens.” The author redrew Funk's chart [...], which was used to illustrate a lecture delivered April 16, 1947 at the Henry George School of Social Science, New York. The results show conclusively that regardless of wars, rebellions, population changes, industrialization, technological, and monetary changes, American business has been dominated by a 56-year rhythm. In each 56-year period three major panic periods occur at 20-20-16 year intervals. While other panic periods intervene, no discernible pattern is evidenced."
J.M. Funk (1932) - The 56-Year Cycle in American Business Activity. Privately published. Ottawa. IL.
LCdr. David Williams (1982) - Financial Astrology.
The nation's depression will officially end on February 8, with a minor reaction, followed by a major reaction on March 19, J.M. Funk, Ottawa disciple of 'Philocracy,' told members of the Manufacturers' Club and the La Salle Chamber of Commerce at a joint luncheon meeting today. Basing his statement on a formula he had prepared using every possible figure in the economic structure of the nation, Funk declared that periods of depression follow in regular intervals of 56 years. With that information in hand, Funk predicted that 1949 would be a panic year, due to the fact that bonds, debentures, war costs, and other payments were coming due that year.
