world. Known as Profesor Tryphon Tournesol (meaning: Sunflower) in French his character was hard of hearing which led to much hilarity as he misunderstood conversations. 
Calculus never admits to being deaf and insists he is only hard of hearing in one ear in Destination Moon
. In the Moon book series Cuthbert acquires an hearing aid that brings about a change in chararcter as he becomes a more serious person.In later adventures however Professor Calculus loses his hearing aid and once again is back to his old dear deaf self. Where he is often distracted but who invents many object s in the series. The more famous of these inventions are the one-man shark-shaped submarine, the moon rocket and an ultra sound weapon.
Professor Calculus has a human side and tries to benefit the world with inventions such as a cure for alcoholism that makes alcohol taste horrible to the patient. In recognition of the contributions made by Calculus' anti-drinking tablets made, General Alcazar appointed Cuthbert Knight Grand Cross of the Order of San Fernando with Oak leaves in Tintin and the Picaros.
Captain Haddock
often hates these inventions, although Calculus often interprets this the other way around due to his deafenss. The Professor does have one weakenss it is if anyone (especially Haddock) calls him a goat. Or as Captain Haddock famously said in Destination Moon
"acting like a goat", the mild mannered Professor Calculus flew into a rage which brought about the very famous reply "Goat, am I?", which to Tintin fans is legendary.Cuthbert Calculus is a fervant believer in dowsing, and carries a pendulum
for that purpose. It is hard to believe but Calculus occasionly comments that he was a great sportsman in his youth, with a very athletic lifestyle. In Flight 714
he demonstrates quite badly his former love of the french martial art savate which leaves the reader highly amused.Calculus first appears in Red Rackham's Treasure
and borught an end to a long search for a mad professor type which had led to the creation of previos character such as Dr. Sarcophagus in Cigars of the Pharoh
and Professor Alembick in King Ottokar's Sceptre
. The character was inspired by the famous inventor of the bathyscaphe, Professor Auguste Piccard.Professor Calculus is going to be very popular as the Tintin movie draws near. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn is supposed to be out October 2011. Visit this link for more movie updates. If you want to enjoy some nostalgic moments, grab the first 5 volumes of Tintin's adventures, here
.
