Brains (Thunderbirds)

Brains is a fictional character in the 1960s British Supermarionation television series Thunderbirds, its sequel films Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) and Thunderbird 6 (1968), and the 2004 live-action remake film Thunderbirds. Brains was born 14 November 2040 and was orphaned when a hurricane struck his family's home in Michigan, United States. He was later adopted by a professor at the University of Cambridge. Jeff Tracy discovered Brains while he was giving a lecture in Paris. The puppet was voiced by David Graham in the television series and the first two films, while Anthony Edwards assumed the role for the live-action film.

Brains is a scientific genius, employed by International Rescue as their engineer. Characterised as a classic nerd, he speaks formally (albeit with a stutter), wears oversized, horn-rimmed, blue spectacles. A highly-valued if somewhat socially maladroit member of the team, he designed the Thunderbird machines and other vehicles and facilities used by International Rescue and its agents – indeed, much of its hardware and infrastructure. He also constructs a chess-playing robot called Braman (which fortuitously served as a spare computer in the episode "Sun Probe"). Brains's technical expertise is occasionally required in the field, in which case he usually accompanies the more glamorous Tracy brothers on their missions in Thunderbird 2.

Brains has occasionally designed vehicles for organisations other than International Rescue. These include Skythrust (in the episode "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker") and Skyship One (in the film Thunderbird 6). These commissions are built under strict security to maintain the secrecy of International Rescue.

Aptly nicknamed "Brains" by the other members of International Rescue, his real name is never revealed in the series. While working on external projects, Brains adopts an alias to protect his identity. For example, he uses the alias "Hiram K. Hackenbacker" while working on the Skythrust project, and the board that commissions Skyship One knows him only as "Mr X". In the 2004 film, his real name is Ray Hackenbacker.

Famous quotes containing the word brains:

    I have often been asked why I am so fond of playing male parts.... As a matter of fact, it is not male parts, but male brains that I prefer.
    Sarah Bernhardt (1845–1923)