Did the author have a well-known character in mind?
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=AJBBf5hCYqIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Radio+and+receiver+projects+for+the+evil+genius&lr=&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=AJBBf5hCYqIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Radio+and+receiver+projects+for+the+evil+genius&lr=&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false