His father was a toymaker. He had a knack for clever cogs, hidden springs, nearly noiseless clockwork.

Bruno had greater ambitions.

When the baron's son turned fifteen, Bruno entertained the party guests with a fully mechanized production of a popular play, with actors at quarter-scale.

When the baron's son became the baron, Bruno gave him a tin footman which proclaimed its master's presence in rhyming verse.

When the baron took a wife, Bruno brought a bevy of artificial doves that ate real breadcrumbs from Violet's hand.

When Augustus invited him to St. Mystere, Bruno knew to bring his largest toolbox.