Dufus P. Ratchet was born with a malfunctioning pituitary gland that allowed his body to continue to grow to monstrous proportions, while his mind stopped developing past the intelligence of an 8 year old. The simple minded Ratchet was kept under observation at Central City's Breedmore Mental Hodpital.

When several members of Flash's rogues gallery conspired to destroy the scarlet speedster (Barry Allen)they freed Ratchet from his cell and outfitted him with high- tech armour provided by the Monitor.

Using an elaborate deception, the villains made Ratchet think that Flash had beaten them up and even kiled a small rodent. Incensed that a super hero could kill a defenceless creature, one of the few friends Ratchet thought he had, he went on a rampage,trying to kill the Flash.

Finally subdued, Ratchet was taken by the Flash to Gorilla City where their super-science corrected his mental deficiencies. Ratchet became a near IQ genius and is now a respected member of society.