Being a Genius Despite a Lack of Resources

Gyro Gearloose, created by Carl Barks in 1952, was a wonderful addition to the Duck Universe. A genius inventor, his many gadgets could be used to further the plot, provide a solution to a problem, or go awry and cause a problem that needed to be solved.

Usually, Gyro had access to his workshop and his tools, allowing him to design pretty much anything that Scrooge or Donald might need. But a really fun story from Four Color #1184 (June 1961) deprives Gyro of all his usual resources, which in turn allowed Carl Barks to highlight just how inventive Gyro can be.

"Brain-Strain" starts with a shipwreck, caused because Donald didn't think things through and build his new boat using thumb tacks to hold it together. In the confusion of abandoning ship, Donald floats off in a raft while Gyro is floating helplessly with the paddle.

So Gyro has to deal with a desperate situation without any resources to speak of. Well, actually he has that paddle, doesn't he? He uses this to enhance his swimming ability and he soon reaches a small island.

Donald has made it to the same island. He's still in "just wasn't thinking" mode and soon lets the raft float away while burning the paddle as firewood. So now the two are trapped on the island without any resources at all. 

Except Gyro is able to find resources even on that barren landscape. I suppose it shows how much of a Trekkie I am in that the above scene, in which Gyro gathers up the stuff he needs to make gunpowder, makes me think about the Star Trek episode "The Arena," in which Captain Kirk did the same thing.

You know, a version of Star Trek in which Gryo serves as the Enterprise's science officer rather than Spock would be... illogical, but a lot of fun. 

Gyro's first effort to signal passing airplanes with a gunpowder explosion can't be seen through the flocks of birds that hover over the island. So, with Donald's reluctant (and hypnotised) help, he gathers up enough feathers to fill the cone of the small extinct volcano that tops the island. Setting this off with gunpowder causes a rain of feathers, which does catch the attention of a passing airplane. A rescue boat soon arrives.

The story brilliantly highlights just how brilliant Gyro Gearloose is, as well as showing off Barks' usual skill in smoothly combining slapstick comedy with a real sense of adventure. But Gyro's genius does fail him for the story's final gag. Tired of Donald "just not thinking," he makes the grouchy duck a thinking cap. But his results in Donald soon running a competing invention business!

Next week, we'll visit with Terry and the Pirates during Terry and Pat's first encounter with the Dragon Lady.