<P> The first Muppet to appear on the show was Big Bird , an 8 - foot - tall yellow bird believed by writer Shalom M. Fisch and Dr. Lewis Bernstein to be a canary , who resides in a large nest alongside the `` 123 Sesame Street '' building and represents the 6 - year - old child with his tendency to question everything . Also living outside of the building is Oscar the Grouch , a trash can - dwelling creature belonging to his own unique species , who is portrayed as a habitual pessimist and was designed to give children `` permission to feel grouchy -- and to demonstrate differing opinions '' . Oscar and Big Bird were specifically created for the reshooting of the `` Street '' scenes with the idea that they would be able to interact with the human characters . Big Bird 's best friend is Aloysius Snuffleupagus ( better known as `` Snuffy '' ) , who was portrayed as the bird 's imaginary friend until revealed to the human cast in 1985 . For his part , Oscar has several friends of his own despite his pessimism ; these include the Grouch 's pet worm , Slimey , and his girlfriend Grundgetta . Two other Muppets who have appeared on the show since its beginning are Ernie and Bert , a pair of best friends with contrasting personalities ; Ernie is portrayed as a free - spirited trickster who loves his rubber duck , while Bert is the world - weary foil to his friend 's naïve trouble - making , and shows himself to be obsessed with things like pigeons and paper clips . </P>
<P> The first Muppet to appear on the show was Big Bird , an 8 - foot - tall yellow bird believed by writer Shalom M. Fisch and Dr. Lewis Bernstein to be a canary , who resides in a large nest alongside the `` 123 Sesame Street '' building and represents the 6 - year - old child with his tendency to question everything . Also living outside of the building is Oscar the Grouch , a trash can - dwelling creature belonging to his own unique species , who is portrayed as a habitual pessimist and was designed to give children `` permission to feel grouchy -- and to demonstrate differing opinions '' . Oscar and Big Bird were specifically created for the reshooting of the `` Street '' scenes with the idea that they would be able to interact with the human characters . Big Bird 's best friend is Aloysius Snuffleupagus ( better known as `` Snuffy '' ) , who was portrayed as the bird 's imaginary friend until revealed to the human cast in 1985 . For his part , Oscar has several friends of his own despite his pessimism ; these include the Grouch 's pet worm , Slimey , and his girlfriend Grundgetta . Two other Muppets who have appeared on the show since its beginning are Ernie and Bert , a pair of best friends with contrasting personalities ; Ernie is portrayed as a free - spirited trickster who loves his rubber duck , while Bert is the world - weary foil to his friend 's naïve trouble - making , and shows himself to be obsessed with things like pigeons and paper clips . </P>
who was the first character on sesame street
who was the first character on sesame street
Big Bird
Big Bird