history of animation

the start

Sep 25, 1887

A man named H.W. Goodwin invented a celluloid film which could hold images. It was made of gum cotton and gum camphor.

moving picture production

Sep 25, 1892

A man in France named Emil Reynaud opened a theatre using an invention called the Praxinoscope. It used turning mirrors to reflect images and produce a 10 to 15 minute "moving picture."

kinetoscope

Sep 25, 1893

Using the celluloid film developed by H.W. Goodwin, Edison was able to produce moving film pictures on the wall. The film moved over a series of wheels to produce the pictures.

sound is captured

Sep 25, 1899

Using a magnetic recording device, sound was recorded for the first time. Animation enthusiasts would latch onto the technology.

first animated film

Sep 25, 1908

A Frenchman name Emile Cohl produced a film called "Fantasmagorie." It was a hit, and is known today as the first true animated film.

felix the cat

Sep 25, 1920

A man named Otto Messmer, created a character named Felix the Cat. Felix was very successful and even ended up including dolls and watches.

Laugh O Grams

Sep 25, 1922

Twenty-year-old Walt Disney began his first animation film studio called Laugh-O-Grams. It failed after only a short time.

Steamboat Willie

Sep 25, 1928

Walt Disney didn't give up on making animated films. In 1928 he released a short film called Steamboat Willie featuring Mickey Mouse and using sound for the first time, and it was an instant hit.

Warner Bros. Studio

Sep 25, 1930

Looney Tunes was supposed to be a spin off on the Silly Symphonies produced by Disney. It soon took on a life of its own and became very popular.

The first full-length film

Sep 25, 1937

Walt Disney produced the first ever full-length animated film. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a major hit.