"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse."Walt Disney, his wife Lillian, and his friend and co-worker Ub Iwerks are the parents of Mickey Mouse. Disney was employed by Universal to animate their character, Oswald the Rabbit. When he asked for more money and they countered with offering to cut his salary by 20%, he walked. Within months they had come up with a new character, an adorable yet spunky rodent named Mickey. They created several shorts featuring him, but the first one that got a distributor was "Steamboat Willie," which had its debut on November 18, 1928. It was the first cartoon with synchronized sound, and was a huge success.
Mickey Mouse was a film star of the highest level of popularity for the next thirty years. His last animated short was in 1953, "The Simple Things." By the time television came along he was ready, starring on The Mickey Mouse Club from 1955-1959. By this time Disneyland had opened in California; Disneyworld followed in 1971. Mickey was, simultaneously, the host of both institutions. He must be magic.
Mickey Mouse is one of the most recognizable characters in the world.
Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
Which look is your favorite?
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