The Netflix film Unabomber, released Sept. 25, depicts Ted Kaczynski's 17-year bombing campaign, which killed three and injured more than 20. FBI language analysis of his manifesto helped identify him, but Shailene Woodley's agent Joanne Miller is fictional.
Kaczynski took part in a Harvard psychology experiment with 21 other undergraduates. The study aimed to measure responses to stress; participants faced interrogations that leader Henry A. Murray described as “vehement, sweeping, and personally abusive.” Experts say the experiment’s effects on Kaczynski’s life or mental health were never proven.
After the manifesto appeared, Kaczynski’s brother David and sister-in-law Linda recognized the phrase “cool-headed logician” from letters Ted had sent David. A linguistics specialist assessed an 80% chance the manifesto and letters had the same author, and the family contacted the FBI. CBS reported that a search of the leading suspect was imminent before Kaczynski’s arrest. FBI officials later disagreed about whether the broadcast forced an earlier raid; CBS said it had held the story for two days at the FBI’s request.
