Written by Tom Benscher (Year 8)
Animation has changed a lot through the years. From basic spinning disks to trick the eye into showing motion, to sketchbooks that flip over, to the early Walt Disney Cartoons, Animation has captured the hearts and minds of viewers for decades. From years of development animation has shocked viewers from every stage and here is animation from the beginning.
The Phenakistoscope
The Phenakistoscope was invented in 1832 by Belgian Physicist, Joseph Plateau. It’s spinning motion mimicks the idea of motion, and the Phenakistoscope is an early ancestor to today’s GIF’s
Fantasmagorie
In August of 1908, Emile Cohl released what is widely considered the first true animation in Paris. Fantasmagorie translates into Phantasmagoria in English which means a sequence of dreamlike images. Cohl uses drawings, approximately 700 of them, then filming them into an animation.
Steamboat Willie
In November of 1928 the famous Mickey Mouse debuted on what is now Broadway creating sound animation. Two weeks later it was released at the largest cinema in the world and launched Walt Disney to fame, as well as making silent animation obsolete. The short also experimented with new techniques such as mickey mousing, where the music emphasises crashes and bangs as well as movement.
Flowers and Trees
In July of 1932, Walt Disney revolutionised the animation industry yet again with the first ever cartoon in colour. With revolutionising Technicolour technology, Flowers and Trees captivated viewers across the world. Not only was it the first colour cartoon, it was the first ever cartoon to win an academy award, the first of his 26. Not only did Flowers and Trees change the way audiences saw animation, it allowed for incredible advancements in coloured animation.
Tom and Jerry
Created by Joseph Hanna and William Barbera in the 1940s, Tom and Jerry revolutionised animation quality with it’s slapstick violence and complex musical scores, winning 7 academy awards for its short films such as The Yankee Doodle Mouse and The Puss Gets The Boot, bringing all audiences to the show with it’s brilliant humour.
Honourable Mentions
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the greatest cartoons of all time with humour that isn’t inappropriate yet still hilarious for people of all ages. With 36 Emmy’s , The Simpsons stands the test of time and remains one of the best cartoons ever and will always be remembered.
Rick and Morty
Debuting in 2013, Rick and Morty developed humour for adults providing a hilarious and gory series. Winning 2 Emmy’s for episodes Pickle Rick and The Vat of Acid Episode, Rick and Morty combined complex humour with occasionally breaking the fourth wall, creating an incredible binge watch.
Spider-Man
Into the Spider-Verse
In 2018, the first animated Spider-Man movie came out and was instantly a hit, winning an Oscar and more major awards. Using comic style and brilliant music, the movie follows young Miles Morales as he becomes the new Spider-Man.