Herman was the husband of Irma and the stepfather of Brilliant, though Brilliant believed that Herman was his biological father. Unlike Irma and Brilliant, Herman did not seem to have any great skill with technology or inventions. Herman joined in Irma's plot to frame Diet Smith for a murder and take credit for the development of the 2-Way Wrist Radio and the Atom Light. When the plan unraveled, the family prepared to leave the city on their boat, which also contained Brilliant's laboratory.