Tony Sarg, known as "America's Puppet Master," was born in Guatemala in 1880 to a German father, who served his nation as a diplomat, and a British mother, who raised him.

Meet Tony Sarg, the man behind the tradition of balloons at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Tony Sarg in front of his Sea Monster in 1937. Photo: Pivirotto/ Nantucket Historical Association ...

Kahane notes that Tony Sarg, a puppeteer who created balloons for the 5th annual parade in 1928, is the man behind the balloon designs that we know and love today.

Tony Sarg is pictured painting his balloon puppets. Rather than being controlled from the top down, Sarg's floating giant puppets—which became a mainstay of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ...