He gained a legendary reputation during the Civil War for casting impenetrable iron armor for ships and military bunkers. He drew Barbicane's ire as Barbicane built more piercing weapons. When the moon-shell launch was planned, he went to war against the project, citing countless theoretical and material excuses based on his belief that it was impossible, and wagered his fortune on massive bets. Eventually, he comes face to face with his enemy Barbicane and the Frenchman Michel Ardan in a forest for a duel. After peace negotiations that completely extinguished his grudge, he shows revolutionary chivalry and joins the passenger crew.
