Introduction
In the 1940s, pulp writer Richard Shaver claimed to have uncovered the secret of the “Shaver Mystery”—an underground world populated by Deros (detrimental robots, monstrous beings who torment surface dwellers with strange machines) and Teros (their benevolent, hidden rivals). Are these literal monsters, echoes of ancient myth, or a postwar sci-fi delusion that turned into a lasting conspiracy legend?
Origins
The Shaver Mystery debuted in Amazing Stories magazine (1945–1948), combining elements of hollow earth theory, lost civilizations, and new-age paranoia. Shaver claimed to have heard voices from below while working as a welder. Editors like Ray Palmer sensationalized his claims, blending reader letters, stories, and supposed evidence of “Dero attacks.”
Theories and Themes
- Literal Belief: Some fringe believers claim underground races exist, citing “Dero technology” for disappearances, UFOs, and psychic attacks.
- Psycho-Social: Most see the Shaver Mystery as a case of mass delusion, postwar anxiety, and creative fiction run amok—yet its themes resurface in modern “deep underground military base” conspiracies.
- Mythic Resonance: The idea of subterranean monsters and secret helpers is ancient—echoes found in Native American, Hindu, and European folklore.
Key Examples
- Classic issues of Amazing Stories and reprints in UFO/conspiracy circles.
- Modern books linking Deros to missing persons, DUMBs, and mind control.
- Internet threads and podcasts re-examining the Shaver legacy.
Critical Analysis
Whether hoax or visionary myth, Deros and Teros remain a touchstone for hollow earth and “hidden enemy” conspiracies—a mix of science fiction and subconscious fears.
Influential Literature: Pro & Contra
- Richard S. Shaver – “The Shaver Mystery” – Global Communications, 2002.
- Timothy Green Beckley – “Subterranean Worlds: 100,000 Years of Dragons, Dwarfs, the Dead, Lost Races and UFOs from Inside the Earth” – Inner Light, 1994.
- Brad Steiger – “Conspiracies and Secret Societies” – Visible Ink, 2012.