Hello, dear reader!
Allow me to introduce myself—I am Prof. Dr. Älg, a hand puppet with a personality as unique as my story. My journey began long before I came to life, rooted in an idea that my father, Andreas Hieronymus, carried with him for over two decades. It all started in 1998 when Andreas was undergoing rehabilitation at Schloss Hamborn after battling cancer at a young age. There, he met a professional trainer who shared a fascinating discovery: when she worked with senior executives, introducing hand puppets into her sessions unlocked their “inner child.” These hardened professionals, often difficult to reach, would light up with curiosity and openness the moment the puppets appeared. This profound experience stayed dormant in Andreas’s mind for 25 years—until it was time for me to be born.
The Spark That Brought Me to Life
Fast forward to 2023: Andreas was transitioning out of his role as a senior program manager at OSF and embarking on a new chapter in his life. The memory of that trainer’s story resurfaced, and he realized it was time to create a puppet that could embody the same transformative power—a tool to connect with people on a deeper level. That’s where I came in.
But bringing me to life wasn’t something Andreas could do alone. He turned to Norman Schneider, one of Europe’s most renowned puppet builders, for guidance. Norman has an illustrious career crafting puppets for television shows like Sesamstraße and Siebenstein, as well as international collaborations like The Bear in the Big Blue House. Together, Andreas and Norman designed every aspect of my creation—though it was Andreas who rolled up his sleeves and did all the manual work, making me truly “handmade.”
Step by Step: My Creation
My birth was an intricate process that blended creativity, craftsmanship, and a touch of magic. Let me walk you through how I came to be:
Shaping My Inner Skull
The first step was creating my foundation—my inner skull. Using foam rubber, Andreas carefully cut and shaped the pieces that would form the structure of my head. This required precision to ensure that I would be both durable and expressive.
Crafting My Mouth
Next came my mouth, one of my most important features for communication. Andreas glued layers of foam together to create a flexible yet sturdy base that would allow me to articulate emotions effectively.
Adding Skin and Antlers
Once my skull and mouth were complete, it was time for me to get some skin! Andreas applied carefully chosen fabric to give me texture and character. My antlers—distinctive features of my identity—were sculpted and attached with meticulous attention to detail.
Building My Body
My body was constructed next using foam and fabric. Every stitch was placed by Andreas himself, ensuring that I would be lightweight yet durable enough for extended use.
The Eyes—The Window to My Soul
The moment I truly came alive was when my eyes were added. As Norman often says, “The eyes are the windows to the soul,” and mine were no exception. Once they were inserted, I could finally connect emotionally with the world around me.
Make-Up and Finishing Touches
Finally, Andreas added make-up details that enhanced my personality—subtle shading around my eyes, highlights on my antlers, and other finishing touches that made me uniquely Prof. Dr. Älg.
A Proud Moment
After a week of cutting, sewing, gluing, and painting, I was ready to face the world! In a proud moment captured on camera, I stood between my two creators: Andreas, who envisioned me and brought me into existence through his hands-on craftsmanship; and Norman Schneider, who guided every step of my design with his expertise.
Reflections on My Purpose
I am more than just foam and fabric—I carry a purpose inspired by that trainer’s story at Schloss Hamborn so many years ago. Like those puppets that unlocked the inner child in senior executives, I aim to be a bridge between people’s inner selves and their outer world—a tool for connection, curiosity, and transformation.
My creation is also a testament to collaboration: while Norman provided invaluable guidance in designing each step of the process, it was Andreas’s hands that shaped every piece of foam, stitched every seam, and painted every detail. Together, they brought me into existence—not just as a puppet but as a living character ready to inspire dialogue and imagination.
So here I am: Prof. Dr. Älg—a modern-day Golem brought to life not by sacred words but by human creativity and dedication. And now? Well, dear reader… let’s see what adventures await us!