The concept of the Rube Goldberg type machine Tom is constructing would morph into the hugely popular "Mousetrap" game, released by Ideal in 1963.
A broad wink, most likely, at the 1953 WB short "Duck Amuck."
Tom's 'dialogue' at the end of the short would be used in the "Peanuts" TV specials a few years later. Off screen adult characters would 'speak' in the same way.
Tom's full name, Tom Cat, is shown as the designer on the mousetrap blueprint.
The blueprint cat and mouse resemble their real life animated counterparts, right down to their expressions.