ABOUT THE AUTHOR & CREATOR
Allow me to introduce myself…
My name is Clayton Stabley, the creator of The Curiositorium of Cogglepotts—a whimsical steampunk world where invention, imagination, and curiosity come to life.
A retired U.S. Army veteran and former culinary professional of more than two decades, Clayton has always been a builder at heart—crafting, shaping, and creating long before he ever began writing stories.
That lifelong creative spark eventually evolved into something more…
a world.
A world called Gearinthia—filled with steam-powered curiosities, peculiar machines, and forgotten wonders waiting to be rediscovered.
At the center of it all is his most beloved creation: Professor Thaddeus Cogglepotts—an eccentric inventor, storyteller, and guide who leads young adventurers (and the young at heart) through imaginative journeys rooted in creativity, discovery, and hands-on STEAM exploration.
What began as a playful character inspired by Clayton’s two granddaughters, Madilynn and Madison, has since grown into a living, breathing experience—spanning books, art, and live performances that invite families to explore curiosity together.
Deeply influenced by Victorian craftsmanship, 19th-century design, and the whimsical storytelling of classics like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Clayton blends artistry and imagination across multiple disciplines, including writing, drawing, painting, music, and character performance.
Today, he continues to bring The Curiositorium to life—inviting others not just to read stories… but to step inside them.
Because curiosity is not something we outgrow—
it’s something we return to.
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ABOUT THE PROFESSOR
This is Professor Thaddeus Montague Cogglepotts—
artificer, inventor, curator of curiosities… and the ever-curious Professor of Imagination.
From the gear-spun city of Whimbrassel, the Professor works within his famed Curiositorium—tinkering with brass mechanisms, luminous crystals, and time-bending contraptions where every invention holds a hidden story waiting to be uncovered.
But behind the brass and brilliance lies something more important—
The Professor was created by a very real storyteller.
What began as a simple love for steampunk, invention, and craftsmanship has since grown into something far beyond a single character—
a living world where imagination is explored, built, and brought to life.
Within that world, the Professor is no longer just a narrator, but a guide—leading young adventurers through stories shaped by curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, and discovery.
First inspired by two granddaughters, Madilynn and Madison, these stories continue to evolve—inviting families and classrooms alike to step inside a space where imagination is not only encouraged… but experienced.
Today, the world of Cogglepotts has grown into an immersive experience, including:
Storybooks filled with imaginative adventures
STEAM-based learning and creative exploration
In-character school and community experiences
Art, inventions, and hands-on curiosity-driven creations
At its core, this world is built on a simple belief:
Imagination is not something we outgrow—
it is something we return to.
The Professor is not just a character.
He is an invitation—
to think, to build, to explore, and to rediscover the spark that never truly fades.
Welcome to the Curiositorium of Cogglepotts.
Observation is encouraged. Curiosity is required.