He was just an avatar of sorts through which any ridiculous theory that was desired could be foisted upon the masses as coming from a "genius in a lab coat" and the kicker was it was impossible for anyone to question him because all they would get is brrts and blurbles, and hey- what's wrong with you picking on a cripple anyways!?
No shortage of people who say he was replaced in the late 70's or early 80's. Fair rundown of the theory right here:
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