The History of Puppets first began in China

The History of

• Puppets first began in China • Shadow puppets were the first type of puppet used in China. • Exactly when the first puppet was made is unknown--but it could have been as long as 12, 000 years ago!

• Puppets are made to Tell Stories • Some of the earliest puppets were made like Tribal Masks to tell the stories for ritual and • religious ceremonies. • Puppets evolved into Doll Like figures!

• Puppet Theater was created to tell a story with multiple puppet characters. • Puppet theater has been mentioned around 400 -300 BC in Greek Philosophers Plato and Aristotle's writings! That’s nearly 2, 500 years ago! • Puppet theaters took to the road like a traveling circus with other jugglers, entertainers and animal acts!

• One of the most important reasons for the PUPPET THEATER was TO spread morals, rules, and laws. In other words to TEACH! • Puppeteers still use this type of story telling for puppets today: Think of Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood!

Different Kinds Of Puppets

Shadow Puppets • A cut out figure. • Two-dimensional. • Highly detailed. • A source of light is placed on the puppet to create a solid puppet on a translucent back drop. • Colored light can also be used.

Body Puppets • Designed to be large in scale • Mostly used for Parades and in Theme Parks. • Operated by arms • one for the head, • one for the arm • The whole human body is inside the puppet

Finger Puppets • Fits on one finger • Simple in form • Usually animated face • Used to tell simple stories • Cylinder shape

Hand Puppet • Hand inside the puppet • Hand is used to control the mouth, eyelids, and arms • A sock puppet is the simplest form of a hand puppet

Marionette Or String Puppet • Invented by the Turkish people • Uses strings and a rod to control the puppet • Used mostly for Puppet Theater • Very sophisticated puppet! Arms, hands, legs, head, feet are controlled all at the same time!

Ventriloquist • The puppet is controlled by ventriloquists hand • The ventriloquists speaks for and to the puppet • Usually used for humorous acts • The eyes and hands make the puppet animated (look real)

Famous Puppets

Jim Henson and the Muppets Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

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