The Case:
At the turn of the 20th century the main theatrical entertainment was Vaudeville, a show with something for everyone.
It was a world dominated by white entertainers, but despite this, a pioneering new act with an African-American ventriloquist emerged onto the scene.
Not only was John W. Cooper black, but his dummy was too.
Did "Sam" the first black ventriloquist dummy, transform how Americans viewed race in the early 20th century?
The History Detectives investigate.
Season 1, Episode 8
Season 2, Episode 7
Detective:
Tukufu Zuberi
Location:Brooklyn, New York
Related Content
Technique:
Feature:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Season 1
Napolean's Sword
Did Napoleon bestow this sword as a gift to a brave ancestor of a St. Martinville family?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Cromwell Dixon Plane Fragment
What could this faded scrap of fabric tell us about the first pilot to conquer the Continental Divide?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Sears Home
Might an Ohio couple's residence be a long-forgotten Sears home?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Florida Map
How did this faded map help unlock the riches of the New World?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Thomas Edison's House
Was this New Jersey home built by inventor Thomas Edison?
-
Related Investigation
Universal Friends
What can this 200-year-old document reveal about the first American-born woman to lead a religious movement?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.