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The phenakistoscope
The first animation device that created the illusion of life. A spinning disc would rotate a series of drawings or photos making them quickly flash by, fooling the eye to see a moving picture rather than a series of images. -
The Enchanted Drawing
An animated silent film directed by J. stuart blackton featuring the first sequences of animation recorded in a standard picture film. Blackton is often referred to as the father of american animation. -
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The silent age
The beginnings of mainstream animation and the beginning of the modern animation studio. Animated films during this time mostly had no sound and early on were not created with a huge staff. Founders of the industry like Winsor McCay, Pat sullivan, and Otto Messmer began producing works with unique characters and plots. The popularity of these cartoons boomed. Walt Disney and the fleischer brothers came into the industry late in the silent age and somewhat began the transition to the golden age. -
Gertie the dinosaur
A short vaudeville act film, by Windsor McCay, in which the animated dinosaur would perform tricks seemingly by command. First film to animate with keyframes and have a character have it own unique personality. -
Cut out animation
A style of of stop motion that utilizes flat surfaces and cuts out props from fabric, paper, or other flat mediums. The first cut out animation recorded was the film “The Adventures of Prince Achmed" by german animator Lotte Reiniger in 1926. -
Steamboat willie
An American animated short film, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. Debut of Mickey mouse and Minnie mouse and notably the first cartoon with synchronized sound. -
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The Golden age
The entrance of sound cartoons completely changed the industry. Though it could be argued that there were other sound cartoons before it, steamboat willie had a major impact on animation and kickstarted the golden age in 1928. The release of snow white and the seven dwarfs, it became the first animated feature films with color and sound. After the world war, due to the shift in entertainment caused by the advent of television, T.V. animations eventually overshadowed studio release. -
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The dark ages
The dark age: An era where cartoons moved to television after the fall of the studio system. During this time cartoons became known as mostly children's entertainment. Due to how the T.V. broadcast system worked, the making of animation focused on saving time and money. Limited animation saved production time and money. Heavy censorship for material aimed at children were placed. later in this age americans started seeing more cartoons imported from japan and europe. -
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The renaissance age
80's cartoons that lacked much creativity, passion or budget came an era of new cartoons using new technology. late 80's Disney began producing original tv shows with larger budgets. the creation of Cartoon Network and nickelodeon gave way to cartoon only channels. New talent quickly rose and rebuilt the animation industry. Movies such as the little mermaid 'saved' Disney. Toy story came out in 1995, the first animated feature of it's time and changed the industry forever, giving rise to Pixar.
