Howdy, Doody!

On a television show called The Triple B Ranch, puppet Howdy Doody was first exposed to an adoring public. In 1947! Who knew there was TV back then? And why do I care, you ask? Because I found this really cool graphic from the patent application for the Howdy Doody puppet. It never occurred to me that you'd patent a marionette. Mr. Howdy here doesn't appear to have especially complex string array. It's not like he's itchin' to be a real boy. But hey! We have an entire book devoted to the phenomenon that was Doody. Enjoy.

Say Kids! What time is it? : notes from the Peanut Gallery/ by Stephen Davis.

Graphic Source: COLLECTIBLES.ABOUT.COM