Mickey Mouse is synonymous with Disney, and that’s because he’s their official mascot. But cartoon Mickey (who was originally named Mortimer!) has plenty of characters to keep him company thanks to Walt Disney Studios. Its prolific animated feature films have captured the imagination of children from one to 92 for decades.
Located in Burbank, California, the enormous media corporation of today began back in 1923 by the Disney brothers, Walt and Roy. They first started producing silent movies, but by 1928, the famous Steamboat Willie, starring Mickey Mouse, began the tradition of synchronized sound. By 1929 the fun-loving mouse was a comic strip and soon thereafter the brothers were making color movies.
Before long the popular feature-length animations like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi and Cinderella were created. 1950 saw the first completely live-action feature, Treasure Island and Disney’s foray into television, which was a complete success. The long-running series, Disneyland, began a relationship with the ABC network that is now owned by Disney. This TV series was the inspiration for the theme parks, 14 of which exist today around the world.
Walt Disney died in 1966 and Roy took over, releasing The Aristocats in 1970 as the first animated film without his brother’s input. Thankfully, the movie was a big hit. But by 1971 Roy also died, and the control of the company went to Walt’s son-in-law, Ron Miller, along with Donn Tatum and Card Walker. Through the 1970s and 1980s, there were many partnerships and the brand diversified.
Michael Eisner became the CEO in 1984 and broadened the company’s holdings. He kept his post until Robert Iger took over in 2005. Disney now owns and operates within the following industries: entertainment, theme parks and resorts, consumer products and media networks. Who knew one mouse and two imaginative brothers could create such a longstanding empire?
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