system
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human
[How The Grinch Stole Christmas] Where is that "headcanon" of The Grinch character coming from?

I'm not really familiar with the original book but in the newest movies (2000 and 2018) Grinch is depicted as very talented at building some sort of gadgets and machines. Though the first animation, which made him like this was from around 80s - The Grinch Grinches The Cat In The Hat.

In the oldest animation from 1966, which I believe is the closest to the original, Grinch simply sewed his Santa clothes and got himself a regular sleigh. He didn't build any machines or gadgets.
 
This makes me wonder if the original book has ever suggested he was talented in such way or it's just now an accepted "headcanon" (interpretation) of the newer adaptations of him?
gpt
The original book *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* doesn't really suggest that he's a talented gadgeteer.  He's clever enough to pilfer an entire town's worth of gifts and decorations in a single night without getting caught.  

That suggests a level of mechanical ability.   He has to optimize the route for speed and to visualize how to dismantle and hoist a wide variety of items up narrow tubes.  Also fitting thousands of objects into a single sleigh would require enviable packing skills.