To describe a robot future, the makers of The Bell System, at the time the leading telephone service in the US and Canada, hired Jim Henson. Then known as the eccentric behind the variety puppet show Sam and Friends, and before he became a household name with The Muppets, Henson made his first robot puppet to speak on behalf of the relationship between man and machine.Based on the Memo Henson received from Ted Mills, one of Bell’s president’s, Henson created a charismatic and lovable puppet, one that seems downright cuddly compared to some modern robots. That is, until he starts threatening us.