Lil'Acorn that is COOL!! It's their swipe cards!! What site is this on?
I'd be interested in knowing what Elefun's original, full, Japanese name is too. In my mind, he'll always be "Dr. Elefun" -- I always cringed at that "Packadermus" part -- I decided the "J" was for James, and that's what I think of him as (until I learn otherwise).
Below you can see Dr. E/O's late wife -- from Pluto manga -- this whole section is sooo touching! He is the sweetest man -- big nose, funny name and all!!
http://view.thespectrum.net/series/pluto-volume-8.html?ch=Volume+04&page=7
And here is his grandson, Takashi from the same volume (#4)
http://view.thespectrum.net/series/pluto-volume-8.html?ch=Volume+04&page=36
In some ways, Dr. Elefun is the "Astro Boy" of humans. He's very selfless. Tezuka made him physically comical and off-putting (all the traditional, "negative" stuff: fat, bald, homely) but if you focus on what he says, and his actions, he's really "saint-like" -- and truly almost every bit as pure of heart as Astro. And trust me, you younger (and unattached) female forum members -- THAT'S WHAT MATTERS MOST! Dr. Elefun is actually quite a catch!
It's ironic -- I was going to post a thread with the exact same question -- thanks for bringing it up, T.B.H!