Who is Doctor Bud Calhoun from Player Piano and what is their importance?

Doctor Bud Calhoun is a reputed genius in machine design, but his aptitude tests don't classify him as a designer. He eventually even designs a machine to do his work for him, something for which he receives a $500 bonus before being fired. After losing his job, Bud joins the Ghost Shirt Society and puts his genius to work designing bombs.