Quote of the Week — Simon on Spinney

Associated Press business writer Ellen Simon on the awesome and inimitable Caroll Spinney, best known as Big Bird:

Spinney got his start on Sesame Street during its first season in 1969, after Muppets founder Jim Henson saw him perform at a puppeteer’s convention.

Henson chose him as Big Bird after Frank Oz, who helped develop Bert, Grover and Cookie Monster, swore off costume puppets following a stint in commercials as the La Choy Dragon, which was equipped with an in-costume flame-thrower.