Theophilus Carter

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Theophilus Carter was a British inventor and furniture dealer most famous for his combination of an alarm clock and a bed, as well as being an inspiration for the Mad Hatter in Sir John Tenniel's and Lewis Carrol's books, both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and what Alice found There.

[edit] Alarm Clock-Bed Contraption

One of his most famous inventions is an alarm clock-bed, which was basically a bed which sprung the sleeper off of it during waking time.

[edit] The Mad Hatter

Carter is believed to have been Lewis Carroll's inspiration for the character of the Mad Hatter, due to his habit of standing in the door of his shop in Oxford wearing a top hat. Carroll's illustrator Sir John Tenniel reportedly came to Oxford to sketch him.