We look back on a century of cinema, animation and innovation
WORDS: MAIRI HUGHES PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY
No matter what corner of the world you live in, it is almost guaranteed that you will know Disney. From Mickey Mouse’s adventures to Peter Pan’s Neverland, Cinderella’s midnight curfew to The Little Mermaid’s venture on to land, these stories have shaped the childhoods of people around the globe.
Turning 100 years old on 16 October, the Walt Disney Company initially came into being in 1923. That year, Chicago-born Walt Disney signed a contract to produce a series of shorts called the Alice Comedies. These short films featured a “live action” girl in an otherwise animated world – this technique was groundbreaking for the era.
Walt Disney had been working in animation since 1920, when his career started with the Kansas City Film Ad Company. Walt branched out into making cartoons when he and his animator friend, Ub Iwerks, founded a film studio in Kansas City. It was here that Disney first made Alice in Cartoonland, which would be the start of something very magical indeed.
From films to theme parks and concerts to cruises, we look at the major milestones in Disney’s 100 year history . . .
1920s
October 1923
Walt Disney signs his first contract to produce a series of Alice Comedies, unknowingly making history.
January 1926
The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio changes its name to the Walt Disney Studio.
November 1928
The first Mickey Mouse cartoon is released to great acclaim.
1930s
November 1930
Disney releases its first book, The Mickey Mouse Book, eternalising the character in print.
July 1932
Disney’s first full colour cartoon, Flowers and Trees,ataleofa hollow tree which becomes jealous of the love between a younger tree and a female tree, is released.
December 1937
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first feature-length animated film, is released.
1940s
February 1940
The original Pinocchio film is released.
February 1949
The Walt Disney Music Company is founded, which releases soundtracks from Disney’s films.
1950s
July 1950
Treasure Island is released, the first c
