Torsional flexibility of the thoracic spine is superior to that of the lumbar spine in cats: Implications for the falling cat problem - Higurashi - The Anatomical Record - Wiley Online Library

This may seem a little silly and perhaps trivial. But, a group of scientists decided to figure out WHY cats always land on their feet when they fall or jump. 

The rigor they put into their experiment is enviable. It's quite well thought out. 

In the end, what the discovered was that cats have two spinal regions which can twist independently, so a cat can start turning part of its body and then can turn the rest. 

Studying the world around us is the essence of science. 

 

https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.70165