In the novel by H.G. Wells, Griffith is a scientist exploring the theory of light and refraction. He successfully alters himself to become invisible, but is driven mad by his inability to turn visible again, and becomes a mentally unstable serial killer. When appearing in public, he wears goggles, wraps his face in a scarf, and wears a longcoat and fedora, as were traditional streetgarb at the time of the book's writing.