List A Brief Timeline Of Animation Between 1872 And 1928

Julian Assange

2 min read

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08-12-2024

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The period between 1872 and 1928 witnessed the birth and explosive growth of animation, transitioning from simple moving images to the beginnings of character animation and storytelling. This timeline highlights key developments and influential figures:

1872-1890s: The Dawn of Moving Images

• 1872: Eadweard Muybridge's groundbreaking work on sequential photography using multiple cameras captures the motion of a horse, laying the foundation for understanding and replicating movement. This is arguably the very first step toward the understanding of animation as a medium.

• Late 1880s - Early 1890s: Étienne-Jules Marey develops chronophotography, creating a series of images on a single photographic plate. While not animation in the traditional sense, this further advanced the technique of recording and studying motion. The advancements of this era laid the groundwork for the practical application of moving images.

1890s-1910s: Early Animation Techniques

• Late 1890s: The invention of celluloid film revolutionizes moving image technology, enabling the creation of longer, more complex sequences. Early experiments in animation begin, largely utilizing techniques like stop-motion with simple cut-out figures.

• Early 1900s: Winsor McCay, a pioneering cartoonist, creates innovative and complex animations. His work, like Gertie the Dinosaur (1914), demonstrates a significant leap forward in character animation and storytelling, showcasing the early potential of the medium. This marked a shift towards narrative storytelling within animation.

• 1908: Emile Cohl's Fantasmagorie is often cited as one of the first fully animated cartoons, using drawn figures and simple techniques. This highlights the emergence of animation as a distinct art form.

1910s-1928: The Rise of Character Animation

• 1910s-1920s: The development of cel animation, using transparent celluloid sheets to create layers of animation, becomes increasingly common, leading to more detailed and fluid animation. This drastically increased production efficiency and artistic capabilities.

• 1920s: Walt Disney's studio begins to emerge as a major force in animation, initially experimenting with simplistic cartoons. This era saw the rise of the "rubber hose" style, characterized by exaggerated and flexible character designs.

• 1928: Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie marks a landmark achievement. Using synchronized sound, this short film showcases a significant advance in animation technology and storytelling, catapulting Disney to prominence and solidifying the place of animation in popular culture. This marked the beginning of a golden age for animation.

This timeline provides only a snapshot of the rapid evolution of animation during this period. Many other animators and innovators contributed to its development, laying the foundation for the sophisticated animation we see today. The period between 1872 and 1928 was critical in defining animation as an art form capable of telling stories and engaging audiences.