Laffing Sal

Laffing Sal is one of several animatronic characters that were built primarily to attract carnival and amusement park patrons to funhouses and dark rides throughout the United States.

PTC subcontracted fabrication of the figures to the Old King Cole Papier Mache Company of Canton, Ohio.

It was made of papier-mâché, consisting of seven layers of pressed card stock with horse-hair strengthener, mounted over steel coils and frame.

[3] The head, arms, hands and legs were detachable and were held together with fabric, staples, pins, nails, nuts and bolts.

[4] PTC produced two other "ballyhoo" (attention-getting) figures, Laffing Sam and Blackie the Barker, which used a similar construction.