I haven't posted on this account for a while, but I had a few questions from some around 'Who, or what, is Mr Squiggle'. So here it is:
The Whimsical History of Mr. Squiggle – Australia’s Favourite Moon Man
If you grew up in Australia between the late 1950s and the 1990s, chances are you remember a lanky puppet with a pencil for a nose, a cheerful disposition, and a love for drawing upside-down pictures. His name? Mr. Squiggle — and he remains one of the most iconic children's characters in Australian television history.
The Creation of a Moon-Born Artist
Mr. Squiggle was created by cartoonist and puppeteer Norman Hetherington in 1959. The character first appeared on a short segment for the ABC, but his popularity quickly grew, earning him his own show titled Mr. Squiggle and Friends.
The star of the show, Mr. Squiggle, hailed from the Moon and traveled to Earth in a spaceship called Rocket. Each episode featured him receiving "squiggles" — random doodles sent in by children — which he would turn into imaginative drawings using his pencil nose. The magic? He almost always drew them upside down and had to be reminded to "turn it around" to reveal the final image.
A Cast of Quirky Characters
Mr. Squiggle wasn’t alone on his artistic adventures. He was joined by a cast of memorable characters including:
Miss Jane, his ever-patient assistant (played over the years by several hosts, most famously Jane Fennell).
Gus the Snail, a talking snail with a TV for a shell.
Bill the Steam Shovel, loud and grumpy but lovable steam shovel.
Blackboard, who was famously grumpy and constantly shouted, "Hurry up!"
These quirky sidekicks added humor, personality, and warmth, turning the show into more than just an art segment — it became a beloved part of Australian culture.
A Legacy of Creativity
Running for over 40 years, Mr. Squiggle outlasted most children’s programs, airing its final episode in 1999. Despite its simple format and low-tech production, the show inspired generations of Australian kids to embrace creativity, imagination, and a bit of silliness.
In the years since, Mr. Squiggle has been honored in museum exhibitions, stamps, and even a Google Doodle — a testament to his enduring appeal.
For many, Mr. Squiggle wasn’t just a puppet — he was a childhood friend from the Moon who taught us that with a little imagination, even a random squiggle could become something wonderful.
"Mr Squiggle, the man from the moon"