History of Animation

Phenakistoscope invented

Feb 5, 1872

This device allowed people to view an illusion that made it seem like it was moving.

Kinetoscope invented

May 13, 1889

Invented by Thomas Edison, projected 50ft length of film in about 13 seconds.

First animated film

Jul 21, 1906

Stuart Blackton made the first animated film which he called "Humorous phases of funny faces."

Paper cutout animation

Oct 19, 1910

First paper cutout animation by Émile Cohl was made. It was called En Route.

Felix the Cat

Jul 18, 1920

Felix the Cat becomes the most popular character during this time. This led the way for other animated chracters to become popular after him.

Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio

Oct 16, 1923

Walt and Roy Disney founded Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio.

Steamboat Willie

Nov 18, 1928

First successful sound animated film. Made Mickey an easily recognizable character.

First WB short

Apr 19, 1930

The first Warner Bros. short was made. It was called Sinking in the Bathtub

Betty Boop

Aug 9, 1930

The character Betty Boop was introduced.

Warner Bros. Cartoons

Nov 2, 1930

Warner Bros. Cartoons was made.

Porky's Duck Hunt

Apr 17, 1937

Introduced Daffy Duck.

Puss Gets the Boot

Feb 10, 1940

First animated short in the Tom and Jerry series.

A Wild Hare

Jul 27, 1940

The first "true" Bugs Bunny Cartoon.

Xerography

Oct 6, 1946

Xerography process invented, used in multiple films such as One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Commercials

Jul 15, 1950

Animation is becoming more common in commercials.

Disneyland

Jul 17, 1955

Thanks to the publicity towards animation and Disney, Disneyland opened.

Hanna Barbera

Jul 1, 1957

Hanna Barbera studios started.

The Flintstones

Sep 30, 1960

Hanna-Barbera produced The Flintstones. It became the most financially successful network animated franchise for three decades.

W.B.A closes.

Jun 18, 1962

Warner Bros. Animation closes.

Simpsons

Apr 19, 1987

The Simpsons started, and became one of the most popular animations on TV.

Beauty and the Beast

Nov 13, 1991

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated feature to be nominated for the Academy Award as Best Picture.

Toy Story

Nov 22, 1995

Toy Story was the first first full-length 3D CG feature film.

Shrek

Apr 22, 2001

Shrek won the Academy Award for Best Animation.

Finding Nemo

May 30, 2003

All time highest profiting animation of all time.

Longest running series

Sep 28, 2013

The Simpsons becomes the longest running television comedy series ever made.