 The last names of all the characters (and the bus line and  publishing firm names) are the names of mathematicians, scientists,  engineers, artists, etc. (Harold) Francis Crick: with Watson and  Wilkins found the structure of DNA; (Ana) Blaise Pascal: French  mathematician and philosopher; (Karen) Gustave Eiffel: engineer and  designer of the Eiffel Tower; (Penny) M.C. Escher: Dutch graphic  artist; (Dr.) Magnus Gustaf Mittag