Howdy Doody toy marionette: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This toy Howdy Doody puppet was made by Puppet Playthings, Inc. during the 1950s. Authentically costumed with sliding eyes, a moving mouth, and six-inch strings, Howdy Doody puppets became a popular children’s toy during the 1950s. From 1947 to 1960, The Howdy Doody Show was the leading children’s TV program in the United States. The creator of the Howdy Doody character, “Buffalo” Bob Smith, first performed him as a radio character. When the show transitioned to TV, Frank Paris created the new puppet, but left the show (with the puppet) in 1948 to disputes over merchandising rights. Velma Dawson created the now-ubiquitous Howdy Doody that debuted in 1949. This Howdy Doody became popular spokes character, hawking sponsored products on the show or in print. The show’s characters were also licensed and sold in a variety of products and toys.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1947 - 1960
• manufacturer: Peter Puppet Playthings, Inc.
• previous owner: Rollins, Hazelle H.
• maker: Peter Puppet Playthings, Inc.
• Object Name: marionette
• Physical Description: plastic (overall material)
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Physical Description: string (overall material)
• Physical Description: cardboard (overall material)
• Physical Description: ink (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 16 in x 5 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in; 40.64 cm x 14.605 cm x 8.89 cm
• place made: United States
• Associated Place: United States: New York, New York
• Subject: Puppetry
• Subject: Radio and television broadcasting
• Subject: Television broadcasts
• Subject: Children's television programs
• Subject: Consumerism
• general subject association: Television
• Subject: Toys
• ID Number: 1980.0910.05
• accession number: 1980.0910
• catalog number: 1980.0910.05
• Credit Line: Anne W. and John W. Rollins, Jr.
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.