Where did cartoons come from, and how are they made – both today and in the past?
In its earliest form, a cartoon was a type of illustration that was drawn (and later animated) in an unrealistic style. The Merriam-Webster dictionary explains that, although the word cartoon is now most frequently used to describe humorous drawings, comic strips or animated films and TV shows, its origins in English were quite different.
Fine Art
Interestingly, the word cartoon was first associated with fine art long before becoming the standard word used to describe a movie or short television program aimed at children. The word came from the Italian phrase “cartone” and referred to full-size drawings, which were usually made on sturdy paper as a precursor or outline for a large piece of work that might take days to complete.
The finished cartoon was just an intermediary step. However, the idea was to hand this medium over to skilled craftsmen who would transform the cartoon into a stained tapestry or stained glass. Despite this, some of these early cartoons have survived to this day and are highly prized as pieces of artwork in their own right.
Raphael’s “Christ’s Charge to Peter” (which belongs in a collection called “The Raphael Cartoons”) and especially those created by Leonardo da Vinci, like “The Burlington House Cartoon,” often sell for huge amounts at auction and on occasion, can even fetch a greater price than the final artworks that they inspired.
In Mass Media
Throughout the centuries the style of cartoons started to become less formal and would regularly be used to express Satire in the pages of newspapers and magazines. The first known examples of this were found in issues of punch magazine dating from 1843.
Calling these drawings cartoons were intended to be ironic, as they were often preparatory cartoons being created for grand historical artworks being created for the newly built Palace of Westminster.
By this time, cartoons could be broadly defined into two categories: gag cartoons, such as those created by John Leech, and comic strips. Both of these forms of cartoon have survived to this day.
Comic Books
By the 1930s, magazine-format “Comic Books” were a staple on the shelves of newsagents. Many of these were aimed at children, introducing characters such as Batman, Superman, and Spiderman, all of whom are still popular today. Comic books would also be printed that focused on reprinting the cartoons found in newspapers, intended for a more mature audience.
Around this time, publisher DC Thomson sent surveyors around Great Britain to interview children and learn what subjects they would most like to read about in books and comics.
This research eventually resulted in the creation of The Dandy in 1937, a revolutionary comic book that used color to great effect and featured many stories that were based specifically on the research performed earlier in the decade. Huge sales of The Dandy saw DC Thomson launch a similar product – The Beano – in 1938.
Animation
Early animated cartoons were largely inspired by the comic strips of the day, which led to the word cartoon taking on yet another new meaning. Both early animated movies in an unrealistic or semi-realistic style and shorter films such as Tom & Jerry and Road Runner were now referred to as cartoons.
William Hanna and Joseph Barbera struck gold with Tom & Jerry, who were first created in 1940. Metro-Gold-Mayer, one of the largest filmmakers of the time, snapped up the rights to these hugely popular characters and had Hanna & Barbera produce 161 theatrical short films featuring the characters. People got more hooked on cartoons and animations when 60s cartoons quickly rose to fame. In fact, movie and television experts around the world concluded that cartoons in the 60s started the new era of television.
They weren’t the first to experiment with this style, however; the Looney Tunes brand had already created Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Mavin the Martin and Speedy Gonzales, to name but a few. Tom & Jerry eventually surpassed the popularity of all of these characters with its slapstick humor that appealed just as much to adults as children.
CGI Animation
In the early 1990s, CGI started gaining traction in the world of animated television shows. One of the first notable uses of CGI in a cartoon was “ReBoot,” which premiered in 1994. “ReBoot” was the first fully computer-animated TV series, created by Mainframe Entertainment, and it showcased the potential of CGI in bringing vibrant, futuristic worlds to life on the small screen.
In 1995, the release of “Toy Story” by Pixar Animation Studios and Disney marked a major milestone in CGI animation for feature films. It was the first full-length movie entirely created using CGI, and it set new standards for storytelling and animation quality. This success paved the way for more CGI-animated films and series.
Following the success of “Toy Story,” the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a surge in CGI-animated TV shows. “Beast Wars: Transformers,” which aired from 1996 to 1999, was another groundbreaking series that used CGI to animate robotic characters and complex action scenes. The show was praised for its innovative use of technology and compelling storytelling.
The 2000s brought more advancements in CGI animation for cartoons. “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” which premiered in 2001, was one of the first CGI-animated TV shows to gain widespread popularity. Its success led to a feature film and a spin-off series, solidifying CGI’s place in mainstream animation.
Another significant series was “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” which debuted in 2008. It used CGI to create detailed, action-packed episodes that expanded the Star Wars universe and attracted a wide audience.
The evolution of CGI animation continued with shows like “The Adventures of Puss in Boots” and “Trollhunters,” both produced by DreamWorks Animation for Netflix. These series demonstrated the high quality and creative potential of CGI in episodic storytelling. Over the years, CGI animation has become a dominant force in the world of cartoons that continuously pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved in animated television and films.
Other Interesting Facts About Cartoons
Cartoons have a rich history and many interesting facts that are not widely known. Here are some fascinating details about cartoons:
- First Animated Feature Film: The first full-length animated feature film is “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” released by Disney in 1937. It was a huge success and set the stage for future animated films.
- Longest-Running Animated Series: “The Simpsons” holds the record for the longest-running animated series in prime-time television. It premiered in 1989 and continues to air new episodes.
- Most Expensive Animated Film: “Tangled,” released by Disney in 2010, is the most expensive animated film ever made, with a budget of approximately $260 million.
- Oldest Surviving Animated Film: The oldest surviving animated film is “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” by J. Stuart Blackton. It was created in 1906 and is considered one of the earliest examples of animation.
- First Animated TV Series: The first animated television series was “Crusader Rabbit,” which debuted in 1949. It was created by Jay Ward and Alex Anderson.
- First Cartoon Character: Felix the Cat is considered the first cartoon character to achieve widespread popularity. He debuted in 1919 and became a cultural icon.
- Most Translated Cartoon: “The Adventures of Tintin” holds the record for being the most translated cartoon series. It has been translated into more than 70 languages.
- Highest-Grossing Animated Film: As of now, “Frozen II” is the highest-grossing animated film, earning over $1.45 billion worldwide since its release in 2019.
- First Computer-Animated TV Series: “ReBoot,” which premiered in 1994, was the first fully computer-animated TV series. It was created by Mainframe Entertainment.
- Longest-Running Animated Children’s Show: “Arthur” is the longest-running animated children’s show in the U.S. It premiered in 1996 and has educated and entertained kids for over two decades.
Conclusion
The history and evolution of cartoons reflect the changing landscape of art and entertainment. From early hand-drawn animations to the sophisticated CGI of today, cartoons have continuously pushed the boundaries of creativity and technology.
These cartoons have entertained, educated, and inspired audiences of all ages for over a century. As technology advances, the future of cartoons promises even more innovation and imagination that can captivate people around the world.
Additional Suggestions
- Artworks created by Alec Monopoly the graffiti artist can often be thought of as single panels from a cartoon comic strip, but he sometimes incorporates political undertones into his work as well, such as his popular “Smell of Money” piece that is sold as a HD print on large canvas.
- Tom & Jerry eventually surpassed the massive popularity of Looney Tunes because of how well the show cashed in on its slapstick theme, which was one of the trendiest comedy themes during the 1940s and 1950s.