The Muppets were created by Jim Henson in the 1950s. Henson, an American puppeteer and filmmaker, coined the term "Muppets" as a combination of the words "marionette" and "puppet." The Muppets first appeared in the short-form TV series Sam and Friends, which began airing in 1955 during Henson's college years. Jim Henson, along with his creative team, developed many of the Muppet characters, including Kermit the Frog, who became the most recognizable among them. Henson also co-founded the company Muppets, Inc. (now The Jim Henson Company) in 1958, which furthered the creation and popularity of the Muppets. His work gained international fame through shows like Sesame Street and The Muppet Show as well as various films.
