Phineas Horton

Origin
One day, Professor Phineas Horton held a press conference to display his newest creation: The world's first android. However, when the media saw that the android could be set on fire and could not control the flames, they demanded it be destroyed. Not wanting to do so, the Professor placed the android in a glass tank surrounded by concrete in the hopes of one day discovering how the flames could be controlled.

Some time later, an explosion was heard and the android, now called the Human Torch, was gone.

The Human Torch soon displayed to the authorities that he could control his flames. The court ruled the android could be left in the care of the Professor however, once they were home, the Professor expressed an interest in making money off the flame power resulting in the Human Torch to realize that humans would only use him for selfish purposes and escaped through the ceiling to be free.

Golden Age Public Domain Appearances

 * Marvel Comics #1