Tom Magliozzi, one half of the brotherly duo "Click and Clack," died at 77 Monday from complications related to Alzheimer's disease, NPR reported. Tom and Ray became famous as "the Tappet Brothers" on the weekly show "Car Talk." But it was far from a direct route to radio success for the brothers. Both graduated from MIT, and Tom worked as a consultant and college professor, with a Ph.D. in marketing. Tom went to work as an engineer out of college, NPR reported. An "epiphany" led the brothers to open a do-it-yourself repair shop called Hackers Heaven, and another shop called the Good News Garage. Then the local public radio station was putting together a panel of car mechanics for a talk show, and they were called, NPR said. From there, there was no looking back. "Car Talk" went national on NPR in 1987. "Listeners loved their blend of humor, passion, expertise and just plain silliness," according to NPR. The Magliozzi brothers grew up East Cambridge, Mass. Tom was 12 years older than Ray.