Cookie Monster Is A POPOLOGIST!

Cookie Monster, initially known as "Wheel Stealer," was invented by Jim Henson in 1966 for a General Foods Canada commercial, evolving into the beloved Sesame Street character we know today.

Here's a more detailed look at Cookie Monster's origins:

Early Creation:

In 1966, Jim Henson created a monster character for a General Foods Canada commercial, featuring the snack foods Wheels, Crowns, and Flutes. This monster was nicknamed "Wheel Stealer" due to its penchant for stealing the wheel-shaped cheese crackers.

Evolution and Appearances:

The "Wheel Stealer" puppet continued to evolve, appearing in an IBM commercial and on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967.

Sesame Street Debut:

The character eventually made its way to Sesame Street, where it gained its love of cookies and the name Cookie Monster by the second season.

Notable Facts:

The original Cookie Monster puppet, created in 1969, is now part of the collection at the National Museum of American History.

The cookies that Cookie Monster eats are actually rice crackers, as the oils from real cookies would damage the puppet.

Cookie Monster's hands are simply gloves for the performer's hands, and he has a hole in his mouth that runs down the performer's sleeve.

Cookie Monster's real name is "Sid".

Here is an original Cookie Monster puppet from 1969 that was donated to the National Museum of American History in 2013.