“Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation.” - Walt Disney
Animation is a technique whereby moving images can be created by displaying many discrete images in rapid succession. This is in contrast to traditional cinema and video, where continuous motion is broken into discrete images for later playback.
Early Animation
The concept of representing motion in images has been found in cave paintings as early as the Palaeolithic period, approximately 10,000 years ago. These images show the depiction of the hunting of animals, with each step of events being represented.
In the 19th Century, the illusion of simple motion became possible. Within a few years a plethora of simple devices such as the phenakistoscope, zoetrope and flip book became available - quickly becoming novelty items at stores throughout Europe and North America. These devices allowed the depiction of simple animated scenes such as horses galloping or people walking.