Wilbur, despite his mechanical appearance, is an organic creature of the Congo called a Welderbeast. He has headed the Snail Factory welding and metals crew since 1899 when he was caught on Safari by Martin Nut (Son of Cornelius).
It was on that same safari, only moments after Wilbur's capture, that Grover Breign Sr. accidentally fired his Howdah pistol in Martin's direction, inheriting the factory and beginning the Breign Reign that lasted until 1945.
