Dr. Eliot Franklin's (ex-scientist) full history and decision to become a criminal remains yet to be revealed. He was a nuclear scientist who turned villain, and was among the criminals who befriended the imprisioned, depowered Wrecker and helped him successfully break out. Franklin received a fraction of the Wrecker's power and remained with the Wrecking Crew for some time. Franklin considers himself (with justification) the most intelligent member of the Crew. As such, he often has worked independently from the Crew, and at one point, managed to gain the full powers of the Wrecker for himself. He was since depowered and the Crew shares the power as before.

Franklin possesses superhuman strength, endurance, and resistance to injury. His preferred method of attack is to use a steel wrecking ball as a weapon.

Thunderball got involved with Iron Man (who was Jim Rhodes at the time) due to a misunderstanding, actually. Franklin was going on a minor rampage looking for the love of his life, Rhonda Taddington. In the process, he held Clytemnestra Erwin hostage. IM jetted in to free Cly and other hostages, doing battle with T-Ball in the process. Cly convinced the two to cease their fight, at least until T-Ball had a chance to speak with Rhonda. She  refused to do so, so IM and T-Ball resumed their skirmish. After magnetizing T-Ball's wrecking ball, and absorbing a fresh amount of electrical power, Shellhead slapped T-Ball into dreamland.

First IM Appearance: Iron Man #171.