History of Animated Films

Kaleidoscope

1817

The kaleidoscope was invented in 1817 by Sir David Brewster. The kaleidoscope consist of mirrors that reflect images of colored glass in a symmetrical geometric design. Was first sold as a toy.

History of Animated Films

Period: 1817 to 1941

Thaumatrope

1825

The thaumarope was invented by John Aryton Paris, in 1825. It is a toy constructed from a disk or card showing different pictures on each side attached to two pieces of string. The image is shown when the two strings are pulled rapidly.

Phenakistoscope

1832

In 1832, Joseph Plateau invented the phenakistoscope. This invention allowed people to look into a rotating disk that producing moving images containing small windows. The disks then would rotate at a certain speed bringing the images to life.This was the earliest form of animation.

Zoetrope

1834

William Horner, in 1834, invented the zoetrope. A rotating drum lined by a band of pictures that could be changed. It's one of several pre-film animation devices that produce the illusion of motion by displaying a sequence of drawings or photographs.

Praxinoscope

1877

In 1877, French inventor Charles Reynaud invented the praxinoscope. It was created for theaters which consisted of a rotating drum with a mirror ring placed in the center. The drawlings would be placed on the inner walls of the drums. By turning the drawing, it would then come to life on the projection.

First animated video

1878

Eadward Muybridge in 1878, created the first animated short video. It shows a drawling of a horse that moves. It included six cards that each show a series of six to twelve photographs showing the movement of the horse.

Theatre Optique

1888

Emile Reynaud invented this type of animation system, which utilized the combination of mirrors with a projector. This revolutionized the way animations were presented and brought over more than a half million visitors to come to witness this invention.

Fantasmagorie

1908

First ever fully animated fim came out in 1908 called ,"Fantasmagorie". French cartoonist, Emile Cohn, was the creator. Cohl used glass for his animation to trace each drawling. Fantasmagorie is a short one minute animated film that looks like it was drawl on a chalkboard.

Barre Studio

1914

This studio company was made by Raoul Barre and William Nolan in 1914. The studio not only introduced using glass to animate, but they also introduced mechanical perforation. Their most famous animation is Mutt and Jeff, which was introduced in 1916 and went to 1926.

Absolute Film Movement

1920

The absolute film movement was abstract animation, and these abstract animations were very effective to the history of animation. It brought more expression and meaning to animations, and one of the most influential artists in this movement was Walter Ruttman. He was a German cinematographer with his most famous animation series being Lichtspiel Opus.

The King of Jazz

1930

The King of Jazz, animated by Walter Lantz, was the first-ever animation to contain sound, and the entire thing was done in two-strip technicolor. Two-strip technicolor involves having both sides with emulsions. This was a significant moment in the history of animation as it brought about elements of animation that we see in modern times.

Pinocchio

1940

This animation was produced by Disney, and it was their second hit animated film following Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It is remembered as one of the most iconic feature-length classic animations. The end result of animation took a year and a half and twelve animators to achieve the correct look that Walt Disney was looking for in the character.

Fleischer and Famous Studios

1941

This animation was produced by Disney, and it was their second hit animated film following Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It is remembered as one of the most iconic feature-length classic animations. The end result of animation took a year and a half and twelve animators to achieve the correct look that Walt Disney was looking for in the character.