Dolls

Breaking Ground

The Powerful Objects From the Collections of the Smithsonian’s Newest Museum

These artifacts each tell a part of the African-American story

September 2016

The Spy in the Doll Shop

The FBI was confounded by mysterious letters sent to South America, until they came across New York City proprieter Velvalee Dickinson

March 2, 2016

Cool Finds

The French Castle That May Have Inspired “Sleeping Beauty” Is Filled With Creepy Mannequins

In honor of Charles Perrault’s birthday, explore the Chateau d’Usse

January 2016

In Japan, Autumn Means a Parade of (Not-at-All-Creepy) Robot Puppets

A 350-year-old festival in Takayama celebrates creativity — and contains the seeds of modern robotics

October 9, 2015

The History of Creepy Dolls

Take a trip to the uncanny valley and hope you make it back unscathed

July 15, 2015

Listen to the Newly Reconstructed, Very Creepy Voices of Thomas Edison’s Dolls

A lab figured out how to hear the rare talking dolls without damaging the original recordings

May 6, 2015

New Research

When We’re Lonely, Inanimate Faces Come Alive

Our minds are less particular about the source of comfort when we are craving contact with others

September 10, 2014

From Bauhaus to Dollhouse: When Architects Think Small

For some architects, miniature houses are a big deal

February 25, 2014