Professor Branestawm is an an absent-minded inventor, who spends his time creating bizarre inventions in his “Inventory” (like a laboratory, but where he invents things) and getting himself, his housekeeper, and his best friend, Colonel Dedshott, into trouble with his absent-mindedness and crazy inventions. Everyone around the professor knows that he’s absent-minded and that his inventions often either don’t work right or work in some unexpected ways with weird side-effects, but they still think he’s brilliant and put up with the ensuing chaos because Professor Branestawm’s inventions are exciting.

The series is meant to be funny, and there are no science lessons involved in any of the professor’s inventions. They’re all jokes.

This vintage British children’s book series is by Norman Hunter.

Books in the Series

The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (1933)

A collection of short stories, introducing the absent-minded inventor, Professor Branestawm.

Professor Branestawm’s Treasure Hunt (1937)

The Peculiar Triumph of Professor Branestawm (1970)

Professor Branestawm Up the Pole (1972)

Professor Branestawm’s Great Revolution (1974)

Professor Branestawm Round the Bend (1977)

Professor Branestawm’s Perilous Pudding (1979)

Professor Branestawm and the Wild Letters (1981)

Professor Branestawm’s Pocket Motor Car (1981)

Professor Branestawm’s Mouse War (1982)

Professor Branestawm’s Building Bust-Up (1982)

Professor Branestawm’s Crunchy Crockery (1983)

Professor Branestawm’s Hair-Raising Idea (1983)

Companion Books

Professor Branestawm’s Dictionary (1973)

Professor Branestawm’s Compendium of Conundrums, Riddles, Puzzles, Brain Twiddlers and Dotty Descriptions (1975)

Professor Branestawm’s Do-it-yourself Handbook (1976)

Professor Branestawm Stories (2000, c1980)

The Best of Branestawm (1980)