The Origin of the Term “Muppets” and the Current Location of Jim Henson’s Puppets

The term “Muppets,” coined by Jim Henson, has an intriguing origin that reflects both creativity and a bit of playful deception. Jim Henson created the term “Muppet” in the early 1950s to describe his unique style of puppetry.

Initially, he suggested that the name was a blend of “marionette” and “puppet.” However, as time went on, Henson admitted that this explanation was more of a convenient story for reporters than the actual truth.

He later clarified that he simply liked the sound of the word and that it was a term he made up to distinguish his creations from traditional puppets and marionettes.

The first known use of “Muppet” was in 1972, although Henson had been using the term informally since the 1950s. The word has since become synonymous with the colorful and whimsical characters that have entertained audiences worldwide through various television shows and films, including The Muppet Show and Sesame Street.

Current Location of Jim Henson’s Puppets

After Jim Henson’s death in 1990, his puppets and the Muppet brand continued to thrive under the ownership of The Jim Henson Company and later, The Walt Disney Company, which acquired the Muppets in 2004.

The original Muppets, including iconic characters like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, are housed at the Jim Henson Company studio in Los Angeles.

Additionally, many of the puppets and props are preserved in the Henson Archives, which is dedicated to maintaining the legacy of Henson’s work and the Muppet characters.