The History of Cartoons

An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot

An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot

First CartoonsFirst Cartoons The first animated cartoon was "Fantasmagorie" produced in 1908 by the French director Emile Cohl.

One of the first successful animated cartoons was “Gertie the Dinosaur” produced by Winsor McCay

The first animated cartoon was "Fantasmagorie" produced in 1908 by the French director Emile Cohl.

One of the first successful animated cartoons was “Gertie the Dinosaur” produced by Winsor McCay

In the 1930s to 1960s, cartoons were produced in huge numbers, and usually shown before a movie to keep audiences entertained.

In the 1930s to 1960s, cartoons were produced in huge numbers, and usually shown before a movie to keep audiences entertained.

Sound TechnologySound Technology

Original cartoons were black and white and included no sound.

The first cartoon with synchronized sound is Walt Disney's

Steamboat Willie,starring Mickey Mouse in 1928.

Original cartoons were black and white and included no sound.

The first cartoon with synchronized sound is Walt Disney's

Steamboat Willie,starring Mickey Mouse in 1928.

Sound FilmSound Film With the advent of “sound film”, musical themes were now included. Animated characters would perform an action in "loops", where drawings were repeated over and over, synchronized with the music.

With the advent of “sound film”, musical themes were now included. Animated characters would perform an action in "loops", where drawings were repeated over and over, synchronized with the music.

Disney produced the first full-color cartoon in Technicolor, “Flowers and Trees”, in 1931

Today’s TechnologyToday’s Technology

Today, animation is commonly produced with computers, giving the animator new tools not available in hand-drawn traditional animation.

Today, animation is commonly produced with computers, giving the animator new tools not available in hand-drawn traditional animation.Professionals

argue that today’s, computer generated films, are not officially cartoons

PrimetimePrimetime

Other networks tried to run cartoons in the primetime slot such as, The Jetsons, Top Cat, and The Alvin Show, none of these programs survived more than a year.

Other networks tried to run cartoons in the primetime slot such as, The Jetsons, Top Cat, and The Alvin Show, none of these programs survived more than a year.

The Flintstones was the first successful primetime animated series in the United States, running from 1960-1966.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Networks moved these failed shows to Saturday morning. Reaching smaller audiences with more demographic unity among children

Networks moved these failed shows to Saturday morning. Reaching smaller audiences with more demographic unity among children

These cartoons became popular and played for years!

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