A practical, unpretentious science teacher known for his instinctive grasp of mathematics and engineering—aptly nicknamed for his common sense—finds his ire kindled by the unfolding of global conflict following Pearl Harbor. Although lacking formal training compared to the academic elite at Midland University, he possesses a unique ability to resolve problems intuitively. When the United States mobilizes its industrial might for defense, he seizes the opportunity to volunteer his talents, despite challenges and skepticism from both civilian and government authorities. Arriving at a steel and girder manufacturing plant repurposed for armaments, he is initially met with bureaucratic snobbery and derision from company executives and a government efficiency agent. Despite his background as an educator, his quick wit and unorthodox problem-solving skills—demonstrated through a clever solution to a divisibility dispute over an incomplete shipment of tools—force even skeptical officials to acknowledge his value. The narrative highlights interludes of humorous banter and regional dialect, underscoring his status as an unconventional yet indispensable asset. Soon after, a crisis erupts when saboteurs infiltrate the plant, launching an attack aimed at disrupting the nation's war production. Amid the ensuing chaos, the protagonist and his close companion encounter life-threatening danger as enemy agents bind them and attempt to demolish key parts of the facility. When conventional approaches fail, his resourcefulness takes center stage: analyzing his seemingly hopeless bindings with a blend of intuitive geometry and practical ingenuity, he devises a method to free himself and his comrades by converting the constraints into a means of escape. His calm, methodical approach under fire contrasts with the bureaucratic rigidity of his fellow employees and even the government agent, who, though initially deriding his methods, ultimately recognizes the brilliance of his solution. The tension escalates as the building becomes engulfed by flames, endangering not only their lives but also vital war materiel. Despite the gravity of the situation and the dire prospects, his determination to salvage both human life and industrial capacity remains unshaken. In an adrenaline-fueled sequence, he orchestrates an improvised escape using the very equipment that had once bound him, lifting himself and a reluctant colleague to safety. Even as he faces the collapse of his immediate circumstances, his unflappable demeanor and practical mindset manage to inspire an unexpected turnaround. In the aftermath, as the saboteurs are apprehended and the plant’s critical operations are safeguarded, the government representative who first sought to dismiss him is forced to retract his earlier criticism. The protagonist’s unique combination of common sense and mechanical aptitude, which had cost him his job in a conventional sense, now secures him an entirely new future. Recognized for his unfailing ability to “do his bit” under the most challenging circumstances, he is offered a position as a personal, confidential adviser to the President. His journey from an underestimated educator to an unconventional hero embodies a celebration of practical intelligence and resourcefulness in revolutionizing both industrial efficiency and national defense during a time of total war.
By Nelson S. Bond · First published 1942 · Genre: War Satire, Comedy, Picaresque Adventure