Cartoon Origins

Cartoon Animation
In the beginning was line on paper frame by frame animation
This evolved into Celluloid (Cel) Animation using multiple layers
Invented by Earl Hurd 1914
What separates cartoon from other types of animation is it's focus on and
use of characters

Influential People in Cartoon Animation:
Windsor McCay:
He was one of the most popular and considered by many as one of the best early cartoon animators.
Started as a famous newspaper cartoonist
His work showed a profound improvement in quality compared to other works at the time such as Humorous Phases and fantasmagorie.
His work exhibited realistic drawn figures and believable movement
He meticulously hand painted each frame of his animation. This was done before color film had been invented.

Little Nemo, Windsor McCay, 1914





Gertie the Dinosaur, Windsor McCay, 1914
Probably the most significant film of the silent era
Gertie is the first character with a fully realized personality
This animation enthralled audiences and was the top theater event from 1913-1914
and it served as inspiration to future animators
Notice how the background wiggles and shimmers. This is due to the paper. Remember,
cel animation had not been invented yet.





Sinking of the Lusitania, Windsor McCay, 1918
The sinking of the ship the Lusitania so moved McCay he created this film
using animation
This was the most advanced animated film to date. The cel had been invented and
was being used. This allowed the backgrounds to have different shades
This is an early use of animation in a serious matter.


Krazy Kat Goes a Wooing, George Herriman/ leon Searl, 1916
Animators began looking to comic strips for inspiration Comics like Krazy Kat, Mutt and Jeff, Little Nemo
Early animations resembled comic books ( dialogue was illustrated in
over head balloons)





Captain Grogg Among Strange Animals, Victor Bergdahl, Sweden, 1920
Sophisticated drawing style not seen since McCay
Did not use cels, redrew backgrounds, Moved it and even animated it in perspective
Pencil shading was used for motion blur