The Science of Puppetry – How Real Can They Be?

Our relationship with puppets goes back hundreds of years, from the simple glove puppets of mediaeval entertainers to the sophisticated robotics of Hollywood films. Whether they are intended to scare us or capture our hearts, puppets have a remarkable ability to create strong emotional bonds with humans, but how do they do this?

In this joint lecture, Gresham Professor of Physic Robin May and and renowned designer/model maker/puppet builder Steve Allen (The Jim Henson Company, Gerry Anderson Entertainment, Puppets Marionettas) discuss the science that goes in to bringing puppets to life, what our interactions with puppets mean for our understanding of human emotions, and how we may be able to use puppets to help tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges.

What makes a puppet scary or endearing? How does a two-dimensional concept become a three-dimensional character? And can a better understanding of puppets help us navigate our increasingly complicated interactions with robots?