The title is derived from Bradbury’s opinion that book paper catches fire and burns at temperature of Fahrenheit 451. Depending on paper type the temperature of burning can vary from 440 to 740 ºF.
Fahrenheit 451 was written and published in 1953. It took nine days for Bradbury to finish the first draft called The Fireman and later, when he was urged to extend it by his publisher (the first version was only 25,000 words long), he doubled the amount in exactly nine days more.
Fahrenheit 451 won a 1954 “Retro” Hugo Award, one of only four Best Novel Retro Hugos ever given, in 2004.
In 1966 Fahrenheit 451 was adapted into a movie by François Truffaut. The most prominent fact about this film that Montag’s wife (renamed into Linda in the film version) and Clarisse McClellan are played by the same actress, Julie Cristie; this creates an additional tension and underlines controversial nature of Montag’s spiritual torments.
A new film version is anticipated in 2018.