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Schrodinger's cat is a thought experiment devised by Schrodinger himself in 1935. This was to point out a problem with superposition in the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. While the box is not opened, the cat lies in an undetermined state of being either alive or dead. The cat can be said to be in a superposition of two different states: alive or dead.
Schrodinger's intention with the thought experiment was to discuss the EPR article, which highlighted the counterintuitive nature of quantum superpositions, where a quantum system can exist as a combination of multiple states or different possible outcomes. According to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, the system exists in this superposition until it is observed. When this happens the superposition collapses into a single definite state known as an eigenstate. Einstein will point out that an unstable keg of gunpowder will exist in an exploded and unexploded state. Schrodinger will take this idea and run with it, giving us the thought experiment described above.
The thought experiment in Schrodinger's own words...
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