Photograph

Object number2002.6.15

Date1950s

MediumBoard; Photographic image; Paint; Wood stain; Cardboard; Duct tape; Wire

Credit LineGift of Frances Capozzi-Alvin.

DescriptionEnhanced photograph of a woman holding a dog puppet.Dimensions26.4999 x 3 x 22.5 in. (67.3 x 7.6 x 57.2 cm)
Historical NotesIda Mae Stilley with Happy the Dental Hygiene Puppet. Happy the dental hygiene dog was designed by Ida Mae Stilley Maher to instruct school children about dental hygiene. Bequest of Ida Mae Stilley to her neice, Helenlou Busch. Bequest to Frances Capozzi-Alvin. Donated to HSWP.Label TextIda Mae Stilley Maher was working as a dental hygienist for the Pittsburgh Public Schools in the 1950s when she developed two puppets. Happy, a dog, and his companion Tommy Molar, taught children about dental hygiene in an entertaining way. Ida Mae was eventually able to reach more children with her message through a television show called “Happy’s Party” and a film titled “The Happy Story.” She and Happy appear in the painting here. Tommy Molar puppet features a smiling clean face on one side of its tooth-shaped head and a brown cavity-plagued face on the other side in which Tommy is crying. The Happy bank was used either as an award or a promotional product

Related person Ida Magdalena Maher

Related institution Pittsburgh Public Schools

Related institution KDKA-TV

Subjects

On View

On view