Cosmonauts inspired by babies
On March 31, 1997, four colorful creatures with antennae on their heads and televisions in their bellies debuted on BBC Two. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po — the Teletubbies — became an instant cultural phenomenon. The creators are Anne Wood — founder of Ragdoll Productions — and Andrew Davenport, who wrote all 365 episodes and composed the music. The inspiration came from observing astronauts in Moon landing footage — their toddler-like proportions and movements reminded Davenport of young children. The BBC asked for televisions to be built into their bellies to solve the problem of scale between the giant characters and the small children in the program.
Anne Wood
Born in 1937 in the mining village of Tudhoe Colliery, Wood was a teacher and children's book editor before founding Ragdoll Productions in 1984. Teletubbies brought her over £200 million from toys alone. In 2005, The Daily Telegraph called Teletubbies "the most lucrative program in BBC television history." Wood retired from Ragdoll in 2021.
Andrew Davenport
Davenport is a cognitive child psychologist, screenwriter, and composer all in one. He wrote all 365 episodes of Teletubbies, based on research into language and attention development in young children. The single "Teletubbies Say Eh-oh!" reached #1 on the UK charts in December 1997. The press called him "the J.K. Rowling for under-fives" and "the king of children's television."
Controversies and phenomenon
From the beginning, Teletubbies stirred extreme emotions. Televangelist Jerry Falwell accused Tinky Winky of being a gay symbol — purple color, triangular antenna, and a handbag. Producers kept the heads of the actors in costumes hidden to protect their identity. The show reached 120 countries. In 2022, Netflix released a reboot with Tituss Burgess as the narrator.
Teletubbies today
Since 2013, the brand has been owned by WildBrain, which manages global IP and licenses. Collectible Teletubbies figures, plush toys, and blind boxes are now sought after by millennials — the generation that grew up with Tinky Winky and now buys them for themselves (or for their children) as a piece of pure nostalgia.
The Four and their world
🟣 Tinky Winky
The biggest, purple, with a triangular antenna and a handbag. The most controversial and most loved.
🟢 Dipsy
Green, with a straight antenna. Loves to dance and has his own hat. Second tallest of the four.
🟡 Laa-Laa
Yellow, with a curly antenna. Sings, dances, and loves her ball. One of the most popular among girls.
🔴 Po
The youngest and shortest, red with a round antenna. Speaks a mix of English and Cantonese.
Three creative pillars
Child psychology
Every episode based on cognitive research — rhythm, repetition, attention
TVs in their bellies
A brilliant invention solving the scale problem — and a symbol of the era
Generational nostalgia
90s kids grew up — and now buy Teletubbies for themselves
Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport created a show based on the science of how young children see the world. As a result, the whole world looked at their show. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po — four characters who need no introduction to anyone who grew up in the 90s.
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