Animation has evolved from simple drawings to cutting-edge digital creations. The modern history of animation began in the 19th century with the invention of devices like the zoetrope and phenakistoscope, which created the illusion of movement by displaying a series of images in rapid succession. [1]
The early 20th century marked the birth of traditional animation. In 1908, French artist Émile Cohl created Fantasmagoria, considered the first fully animated film using hand-drawn images. It was made from 700 drawings, 2 minutes long, and with that the beginning of the traditional animation. In 1914 Winsor McCay developed Gertie the Dinosaur (1914), one of the first animated characters with personality and emotion. It was the first animation to use key framing, inbetweening, registration marks and animation loops. [2] [3]
One of the biggest breakthroughs came with Walt Disney, who revolutionized animation with synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie (1928), introducing the world to Mickey Mouse. Disney also pioneered full-length animated films, starting with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), proving that animation could be more than just short cartoons. [4]
The Golden Age of Animation (1940s – 1960s)
This period witnessed the emergence of major animation studios such as Disney, Warner Bros., and MGM and those introduced still well-known, iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry and Donald Duck. Disney continued to create groundbreaking animated films, including Cinderella (1950) and Sleeping Beauty (1959). At the same time, Warner Bros. Created their own renowned Looney Tunes series, featuring legendary animators like Chuck Jones and Tex Avery.[5]
The Rise of Computer Animation (1970s – 1990s)
In the 1970s, technology began to play a bigger role in animation. Traditional hand-drawn techniques were still prevalent, but computer-generated imagery (CGI) were also gradually emerging. A notable breakthrough in CGI animation happened with Tron (1982), which utilized mostly computer effects. The biggest shift happened in 1995 when Pixar Studios released Toy Story, the first fully computer-animated film. This milestone paved the way for future successes like Shrek (2001), Finding Nemo (2003) and Frozen (2010). [6]
Modern Animation and the Digital Era (2000s – Present)
Today, animation has reached unparalleled heights with the evolution in CGI, motion capture and AI-driven techniques. Studios like Pixar, DreamWorks and Illumination are dominating the industry, by producing high-quality animated films and shows. The uprising of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ has also further expanded the accessibility of animation worldwide. Additionally, Japanese anime has gathered vast global popularity, with popular titles like Spirited Away (2001) and Your Name (2016). These animated movies show the artistic depth, which happens beyond Hollywood. [7]
From very early flipbooks and hand-drawn frames all the way to CGI and AI-powered animation, the animation industry has undergone an immense evolution. Animation continues to push creative and technological boundaries, while also shaping storytelling and entertainment for future generations. As technology continues to advance, the future of animation holds limitles potential and possibilities.
Bibliography
Kehr, Dave. “Animation.” Encyclopedia Britannica, January 14, 2025. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/art/animation.
History of Animation. “The History of Animation.” Accessed February 7, 2025. https://history-of-animation.webflow.io.
Fudge. “A Timeline: The Evolution of Animation.” Fudge Animations. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.fudgeanimation.com/journal/the-evolution-of-animation-a-timeline.
NYFA. “The History of Animation: Celebrating Disney’S 100 Years of Stories,” October 17, 2023. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/quick-history-animation.
Barnhart, Ben. “The History of Computer Animation.” Linearity, February 18, 2024. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.linearity.io/blog/computer-animation.
InFocus Film School. “The History of 3D Animation: A Deep Dive,” November 25, 2022. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://infocusfilmschool.com/history-of-3d-animation.
This blog content was translated by artificial intelligence.
[1] Kehr, Dave. “Animation.” Encyclopedia Britannica, January 14, 2025. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/art/animation.
[2] History of Animation. “The History of Animation.” Accessed February 7, 2025. https://history-of-animation.webflow.io.
[3] Fudge. “A Timeline: The Evolution of Animation.” Fudge Animations. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.fudgeanimation.com/journal/the-evolution-of-animation-a-timeline.
[4] Kehr, “Animation.”
[5] NYFA. “The History of Animation: Celebrating Disney’S 100 Years of Stories,” October 17, 2023. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/quick-history-animation.
[6] Barnhart, Ben. “The History of Computer Animation.” Linearity, February 18, 2024. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.linearity.io/blog/computer-animation.
[7] InFocus Film School. “The History of 3D Animation: A Deep Dive,” November 25, 2022. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://infocusfilmschool.com/history-of-3d-animation.
