Gerry Anderson, co-creator of Thunderbirds and Space: 1999 has passed away at the age of 83, according to his son.  Thunderbirds and other shows made with Anderson’s "supermarionation" technique, as well as live action shows co-created by Anderson inspired a generation of viewers for whom there were limited science fiction options on TV. 

Hermes Press published a history of Anderson’s work in 2010 (see "Filmed in Supermarionation").