The Howdy Doody Show (NBC-TV, 1947-1960), Original Mathew Gruber NBC Studio-Sanctioned "Howdy Doody" Automaton. ...

Description

The one and only "Howdy Doody" Automaton (automatic moving & talking puppet) Sanctioned by NBC and The Howdy Doody Show producer Kagran Corporation used for nationwide corporate sponsor promotional campaigns.

The Howdy Doody Show (NBC-TV, 1947-1960), Original Mathew Gruber NBC Studio-Sanctioned "Howdy Doody" Automaton. In January 1952, artist, inventor/U.S. Patent holder Mathew Gruber was directed by NBC and The Howdy Doody Show's producer, Kagran Corporation, to create an automatic talking and moving Howdy Doody puppet ("Promo Doody") for use in promotional tie-ins by sponsors of show, the first nationally televised American children's TV program. Gruber was granted full access to the Howdy Doody marionette at NBC Studios and took meticulous measurements and made molds to create the automaton. In all, Gruber spent well over 400 hours to build "Promo Doody" creating every component from scratch, including the hand printed plaid material for his shirt. The 25.5" tall Howdy Doody is crafted of resin, hand painted to detail over a metal mechanical skeleton with gears and cogs that extends down into the wooden pedestal/box on which he stands that contains the motor that turns the rods which move the gears and cams plus the speaker for his voice. Howdy's molded "hair" removes to reveal a counterweight for his eyes. The 13" x 10" x 15.75" wooden control box powers the automaton enabling it to generate automatic lifelike movements of its arms, torso, head, and eyes and the continuous loop tape provides Howdy's voice as well as actuating the movement of his mouth. It has two switches, one activates Howdy's motion and the other starts the playback. Currently the tape inside contains a Welch's commercial in Buffalo Bob Smith's voice, complete with music.

Included with the lot is an archive of paperwork related to Mathew Gruber and this Howdy Doody, including patent paperwork, schematics, photos of "Promo Doody" in front of a Welch's display, news articles, and more. A group of (6) plaster and (2) plastic molds used to construct this automaton, and (4) envelopes containing additional tapes (untested) are also part of this collection. Gruber would take this automaton to live appearances at trade shows and supermarkets on behalf of various sponsors with pre-recorded messages, such as Kellogg's, Welch's Grape Juice, Fifth Avenue Candy Bars, and others. "Promo Howdy" was also used internally by the Kagran promotion and publicity staff in meetings with sponsors of the show and with licensees of Howdy Doody merchandise.

Mike Wolfe and the crew of American Pickers visited Mathew Gruber and his automatons, including this Howdy Doody, in an episode entitled "Wolves of Wisconsin" which aired to a national audience on The History Channel in March 2022. Gruber's patented "continuous loop" audio system enabling the puppet to deliver a repeating, personalized advertising message in-synch with the mouth, was a technological marvel in its day, foreshadowing Walt Disney's use of animatronics. The Howdy Doody Show left an enduring legacy, influencing subsequent generations of TV shows and becoming a touchstone of 1950s Americana, symbolizing the rise of television as a dominant cultural force in American life. This Howdy Doody and its accompanying components exhibit age and handling and Howdy's paint exhibits chipping in areas. Mechanics still function, though it can be temperamental. The tape has stretched a bit and care must be given when operating. An original Howdy Doody puppet used for still photo sessions for The Howdy Doody Show (aka "Photo Doody") sold at Leland's auction house in 1997 for $113,432. The other two screen used Howdy puppets are in museum hands, one being at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the other on permanent exhibition at The Smithsonian. Provenance: From the estate of inventor/builder Mathew B. Gruber. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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