Sesame Street’s Elmo turned 3-and-a-half Feb. 3, despite being introduced on the show in 1980. Here’s the reason why his age stays so specifically fixed.

Watch as Elmo sits in an umpire's chair and debates the two letters found on Federer's On-branded sneakers: Is it 'Q' and 'C' or 'O' and 'N'?

At its core is a simple yet profound question from the Sesame Street star: “Elmo likes soft. Could that win?” The ad opens with Elmo counting clouds, his signature curiosity on full display.