Vault is purely fictional. The story and characters were made up by the author's imagination. There's no connection to any real-life incidents or people.
The Vault is more likely to be a product of imagination. Usually, such elements are crafted to build an engaging narrative rather than being based on real events. There might be some inspiration drawn from real-life situations, but it's not a direct reflection of a true story.
The thumb represents positive actions or results. For example, in the game when you see Vault Boy with his thumb up, it often means you've done something good, like completed a task successfully.
Vault 11 was a social experiment. The vault's inhabitants were forced to sacrifice one of their own each year. Eventually, they rebelled against this cruel system. They couldn't bear the inhumane practice of choosing someone to die annually. This led to a breakdown in the vault's original structure and order.
The Vault Boy Thumb story is deeply intertwined with the Fallout series. Vault Boy is this charming and somewhat simplistic character that has a big role in the game's visual communication. The thumb is a key part of his image. It can symbolize progress in the game, like when you've managed to scavenge valuable items or when you've leveled up your character. It's also a way for the game developers to quickly communicate a positive or successful state to the players without using a lot of text. Overall, Vault Boy and his thumb are integral to the unique aesthetic and gameplay experience of Fallout.