From before statehood, California has boasted a continual succession of creative puppeteers. From rustic performances during the Gold Rush, to large touring companies playing in vaudeville houses, to smaller troupes during the depression, to artists specializing in film and television, to children's theme parks with permanent puppet theaters, and to today's multi-talented artists, the puppeteers have inspired each other, refining skills, mastering new materials, and incorporating technological advancements into their work. More than 180 biographies of theatrical performers, film and television artists, and technical innovators illustrate the state's rich heritage and unique creativity in this ancient art