Images(2)

Award

Object number2015.78.1

Date1960-1961

OriginMcKeesport, PA

MediumFelt

Credit LineHeinz History Center Collection

DescriptionOrange felt patch in shape of keystone. Dark blue detail and text with school name, award information, and message. Image of "Happy" at center with rockets on either side of his head.Dimensions4.75 x 4.5 in., 0.063 in. (12.1 x 11.4 cm, 0.2 cm)
InscriptionsDark blue detail and text: "McKEESPORT / SCHOOLS / DENTAL HONOR / HAPPY LOVES YOU".
Historical NotesHappy Dental patch from McKeesport High School. Happy the Dog was part of a program to promote dental health in Pittsburgh Public Schools. Happy the puppet, along with Tommy Molar, was invented by Ida Mae Stilley Maher in the 1950s to promote dental hygiene on her local children's television program the Happy Show that was shown on KDKA. Maher was the dental hygienist for Pittsburgh Public Schools. The patches were given out in local schools.

Related institution McKeesport High School

Related institution Pittsburgh Public Schools

Related person Ida Magdalena Maher

Related institution KDKA-TV

Subjects