Walt Disney
Walt Disney invented both Mickey Mouse and the multiplane camera. Disney was granted U.S patent 2,201,689 for the “art on animation” camera on May 1, 1940. You can view the patent drawing for multiplane camera below. The multiplane camera was used in the Walt Disney Studios during the thirties and forties to create countless animated pictures. The multiplane used stacked planes of glass each painted with different elements of the animation. The multiplane allowed the animator to re-use the same background, foreground, or any elements not in motion, saving hours of labour. The exposure differences for each plane was calculated. According to Disney World, “Mickey Mouse’s official birthday is November 18, 1928 when he made his first film debut in Steamboat Willie. This was the first Mickey Mouse Cartoon released. However, the first Mickey Mouse Cartoon ever made was Plane Crazy in 1928, it was the third cartoon released.” Mickey Mouse’s image is the most reproduced in the world. Over 7,500 items bear his likeness. Jesus is number two, and Elvis is number three.
