Although perhaps more well-known to fans as the egotistical "hotheaded" member of the Fantastic Four, the Human Torch character actually originated in the Golden Age. He was remarkably popular, one of Marvel's "Big Three," and was in fact the first in their stable to get his own self-titled magazine.. According to Wikipedia:

"The Human Torch was an android created by Professor Phineas T. Horton in his lab in Brooklyn, New York for scientific purposes. At a press-conference unveiling, however, Horton's creation burst into flames when exposed to oxygen, and, with human-like sentience, personality, and awareness, rebelled against his creator. Public outcry led to the Torch being sealed in concrete, though he escaped due to a crack that let oxygen seep in. While the Torch then inadvertently caused parts of New York City to burn, he eventually learned to control his flame and vowed to help humanity."