Brothers Vonnegut: Science and Fiction in the House of Magic

Brothers Vonnegut: Science and Fiction in the House of Magic by Ginger Strand

The Brothers Vonnegut weaves together the lives of Bernard and Kurt Vonnegut. They were both working together at GE in Schenectady, New York. Kurt was an aspiring writer in the PR department, while Bernard is working as a scientist working on cloud seeding and weather manipulation.

The cloud seeding project in the early 1950s had been seen as having great potential. After studies, they discovered that silver iodide could help cause rain. This was seen as having great civilian and military potential. It also could have great consequences. It was carried out by GE who had to thread the needle of achieving scientific advancements, while escaping liability for weather changes. Eventually, detailed understanding of the statistics of weather was the undoing. Different areas interact with each. Cloud seeding does have some impact, but not as much as initially thought.

Kurt Vonnegut was a pacifist that wanted to be a writer. He had served in World War 2 and did not graduate from college. This lack of degree eventually led to problems with his employment. He was working around scientists, and liked to explore the potential impacts. He combined his war and science experiences to create a form of "science fiction".

Eventually both brothers left GE after they were impacted by the experience.