The wooden ones were operated by strings. These strings were attached to the puppet's body parts. To move the puppets, you pulled the strings.

Hand or glove puppets were made of cloth, often felt. They would fit over the puppeteer's hand. He would operate them with his fingers.

Kermit the Frog

The Muppets were created in 1955. Henson used his mother's old blue dressing gown to make a new sort of puppet. He added ping pong balls for the eyes and Kermit the Frog was born.

Muppets are made of cloth like hand puppets - but they are 3D like wooden ones. Henson put foam rubber under the cloth so the puppets were flexible and could show emotion.

He used rods to move the body parts instead of strings.

Kermit

changes colour

Over the years, Henson changed Kermit's body a little. First he changed it from blue to green. In 1969 Kermit was given a collar around his neck. This made him look more real. It also hid the joint between his head and body.

Famous faces

Miss Piggy, another famous Muppet, was first seen in 1976 as a chorus member on The Muppet Show. She soon became very popular.

Henson's Muppets were also on Sesame Street. They were so lifelike, people forgot they were puppets. Henson made sure the stories his Muppets appeared in were suitable for children.

Adults as well

The Muppets have brought pleasure to millions of people for years - adults as well as children. Henson once said: 'The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children'.

The Muppets have appeared in many films. They have also appeared at big events such as the Oscars.

Sudden death

Sadly Henson died on May 16, 1990, at the age of 53. His death was sudden. He complained of flu-like symptoms. The doctor did not think it was serious so he gave him some painkillers.

Two days later he went to bed because he was feeling so unwell. His wife took him to hospital at 4am on May 15. By this time, he was very sick. The doctors at the hospital tried to save his life, but it was too late.

Now do this

1 What is the name of the first Muppet Jim Henson made?

a. Miss Piggy

b. Kermit the Frog

c. Fozzie Bear

2 When was Henson born?

a. 1926

b. 1936

c. 1955

3 When did Henson die?

a. 55 years ago

b. 21 years ago

c. 20 years ago

Answers:

1. b, 2. b, 3. c