Cat's Cradle

The character Felix Hoenikker was inspired by Irving Langmuir, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist Vonnegut encountered while working in public relations at General Electric. Langmuir's work on weather modification and his detached attitude toward the potential misuse of scientific research directly influenced the novel's depiction of dangerous discovery.

While several high-profile attempts to adapt the novel for the screen have been made, including a notable project by Noah Hawley for FX, none have successfully moved into production.