The History of Computer Animation

ENIAC: Innovation Out of Necessity

Jul 20, 1943

Out of the Army's need for calculations involving war strategy, the ENIAC computer was created. It was designed to make these calculations at a faster speed that was not previously available. ENIAC. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/birth-of-the-computer/4/78

First Computer Generated Film Clip

Jul 20, 1967

In 1967, two gentlemen named James Shaffer & Charles Csuri creates one of the first short clips using an early form of computer animation to make a hummingbird fly across the screen. (Dates are approximated). Halstead, M. (n.d.). History of Computer Animation. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/9817610/History_of_Computer_Animation

Computer Generated Imagery Begins to Evolve

Jul 20, 1968

(Dates may not be exact) In this year, mathematicians & physicists were able to create a cat and make it move about the computer screen using a model based in math. This was then manipulated to create a program where frames were developed to make film. (Dates are approximated). A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History). (2011, May 11). Retrieved from http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698

Computer Animation is Used for the First Time in Television

Jul 20, 1971

Computer graphics makes its television debut. (Dates are approximated). A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History). (2011, May 11). Retrieved from http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698

2D Animation Used in a Movie

Jul 20, 1973

In the movie Westworld, Michael Crichton uses 2D animation in a scene for all of 2 minutes. (Dates are approximated.) A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History). (2011, May 11). Retrieved from http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698

3D Animation Comes to the Fold

Jul 20, 1976

Despite the evolving effects in the world of computer generated imagery, it wasn't until 1976 that 3D animation entered the film industry in the movie Futureworld. (Dates are approximated) A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History). (2011, May 11). Retrieved from http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698

George Lucas Begins His Dream

Jul 20, 1977

Star Wars is created! George Lucas releases Star Wars which is the first feature length film to use an extensive amount of CGI. It was also in this year that he began experimenting with other effects of the time to begin his dream of new and improved animation. (Dates are approximated) A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History). (2011, May 11). Retrieved from http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698

Pushing the Limits in Film

Jul 20, 1979

Movies like Alien uses 3D rasters for the first time to capture more detail than has been seen in years prior. (Dates are approximated) A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History). (2011, May 11). Retrieved from http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698

Lucasfilms Invests & Expands

Jul 20, 1983

Lucas welcomes John Lasseter to the team in it's computer division. It was at this time, he participated heavily in several films, one of which was The Adventures of Andre & Wally B. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

New & Improved Animation Techniques Unfold

Jul 20, 1984

Lucasfilm's studio continues to grow by pushing the boundaries of computer graphics by creating more flexible characters as well as motion blur which will continue to be used in the following years. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

Pixar is Born!

Jul 20, 1986

1986 was an epic year for computer animation and more specifically, George Lucas's studio. It was then that the famed Steve Jobs purchased it and transformed it into the now famous Pixar. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

Pixar Continues to Evolve

Jul 20, 1988

In this year in animation history, Menv (modeling environment) is born. It is with this new system that future Pixar films will be created. This was also the year where a computer animated film is given the Academy Award for the first time. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

Renderman Makes Its Launch

Jul 20, 1989

This is the year that Renderman is released on a commercial basis. This would go on to become the standard in the animation industry. Renderman allows effects to blend realistically with real actions. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

CGI Fully Envelops Film

Jul 20, 1995

The movie Toy Story is released as the first full feature length film to be completely created using all CGI. This film would go on to be a favorite of children and adults alike and received numerous nominations.

New Life-Like Technique on the Horizon

Jul 20, 1999

George Lucas practices a technique called motion capture to help create the actual motion of actors to then create a computer animated effect with it. This will evolve significantly in the next few years. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

Pixar Has A New Home

Jul 20, 2006

It was in this year that Pixar is officially bought by Disney. "Our Story." Pixar. Web. http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story.

A New Form of "Capture" is Introduced

Jul 20, 2009

The legendary film Avatar uses performance capture to create what is created one of the most realistic CGI films in history to date. "A Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI History)." Computer Stories. 11 May 2011. Web. http://computerstories.net/a-computer-generated-imagery-cgi-history-698.

Old Themes, New Technique

Jul 20, 2015

In present day, old themes such as stop-motion seen in earlier films, are now being recreated using computer animation. As technology changes and evolves, it is likely that computer animation will evolve with it.