The bombing at Northwestern University in 1978 was the first in a series of attacks carried out by Theodore Kaczynski, who would later become known as the Unabomber. Using homemade explosive devices, Kaczynski sought to express his radical message against modern society and technological advancement. This particular bombing resulted in minor injuries but raised significant concerns about campus safety and domestic terrorism.

The rationale behind Kaczynski's bombings was rooted in his belief that industrial society was leading to the degradation of human freedom and the environment. His choice of targets, including academic institutions, reflected his disdain for the technological establishment, which he viewed as a catalyst for societal problems. Law enforcement agencies began to take serious notice of the explosives he was deploying, initiating one of the longest manhunts in US history.

The investigation into Kaczynski's actions would span nearly two decades, culminating in his arrest in 1996. As the FBI delved deeper into the bombings, they began to uncover a pattern that indicated a calculated strategy behind the attacks. Kaczynski’s bombs became increasingly sophisticated, posing greater risks and demanding more resources from authorities trying to prevent further incidents. The impact of his agenda and his methods raised essential questions about the nature of violence and protest in the pursuit of ideological beliefs.