Stormy Weather: ‘Twister’ Used TOTO, A 1970s Technology, To Probe The Power Of Tornadoes

National Severe Storms Laboratory researchers attempted to intercept a tornado with TOTO, a 55-gallon drum, in order to study such storms. The effort inspired a pair of screenwriters to create the 1996 blockbuster movie, “Twister.” (NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory)

The blockbuster movie “Twister” influenced a generation of professional storm chasers and sparked curiosity about meteorology when it was released May 10, 1996.

“Twister” is set in rural Oklahoma and focuses on a TV meteorologist who gets roped into chasing storms. Co-stars Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton play a married couple on the verge of divorce. They put themselves in the path of violent severe weather in the name of science. Their performance not only entertained audiences and made hearts pound, but also inspired future scientists.