I remember the name of Lum the Mad from my PnP AD&D days, although I cannot remember a single detail about him or his machine.

Could anyone fill me in on who he was, what he did, how he became (in)famous. Was he one of Gygax's creations? And what was his machine all about?

I am NOT looking for spoilers on WK L4, or any info to do with ToB, and so perhaps this shouldn't even be on a ToB forum, but reaching WK L4 has started my memory juices going, and was wondering if anyone could help me go down memory lane.

So anyone know anything about this character and his activities (pre ToB)?

Thanks in advance.

Hey! You have my attention!
If there is a story about his origins...I also would like to know.

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3rd Member of the Ancient OHF and Diamond Ranger of the ALSB (secretarial position & Ambassador)
Father of the wicked but cute child known as MaryBeth
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Padre de una niña bien traviosa pero guapa
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Aisukuríimu ga tabetái desu.

Here's the info from the first edition DMG where they had all the descriptions of the various artifacts. If I remember right there was a module about the machine as well called the Vortex of Madness or something like that.

The description focuses on the machine more than Lum, but maybe someone with the module has more info on Baron Lum. He's definitely one of the Greyhawk NPCs.

"Perhaps this strange divice was built by gods long forgotten and survived the
eons since their passing, for it is incredibly ancient and of workmanship
unlike anything known today. The Machine was used by Baron Lum to build an
empire, but what has since become of this ponderous mechanism none can say.
Legends report that it has 60 levers, 40 dials, and 20 switches (but only
about 1/2 still function). Singly or in combination, these controls will
generate all sorts of powers and effects.

The Machine is delicate, intricate, bulky and very heavy (5,500 pounds). It
cannot be moved normally, and any serious jolt will set off and then destroy
1-4 functions of the artifact which can never be restored. It has a booth of
a size suitable for 4 man-sized creatures (4'x5'x7') to stand inside, and if
a creature or object is placed therein and the Machine's controls are worked,
something might happen."