Research Platform

A child of the eighties, I grew up on television programming featuring the artististic puppets of Jim Henson. The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock. In 1998 Jim was named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Important People of the Century. Here's why:

"Jim Henson can be credited with many accomplishments: he had the most profound influence on children of any entertainer of his time; he adapted the ancient art of puppetry to the most modern of mediums, television, transforming both; he created a TV show that was one of the most popular on earth. But Henson's greatest achievement was broader than any of these. Through his work, he helped sustain the qualities of fancifulness, warmth and consideration that have been so threatened by our coarse, cynical age.... The beauty of the Muppets, on both Sesame Street and their own show, was that they were cuddly but not too cuddly, and not only cuddly. There are satire and sly wit; Bert and Ernie quarrel; Miss Piggy behaves unbecomingly; Kermit is sometimes exasperated. By adding just enough tartness to a sweet overall spirit, Henson purveyed a kind of innocence that was plausible for the modern imagination. His knowingness allowed us to accept his real gifts: wonder, delight, optimism."

My plan for the platform is to craft a puppet of my own to share with the class. I'm still pondering what kind of character to create. Any suggestions?