Animation is the process of creating a sequence of still images that when viewed together create the illusion of motion. Animation is used in many forms, from feature films and television series to interactive video games and mobile applications. It has become an integral part of modern entertainment, having been adopted by virtually every major media outlet in one way or another. The term animation can refer to both 2D traditional hand-drawn animation as well as 3D computer generated imagery (CGI).
The history of animation dates back hundreds of years, with the first animated pictures being attributed to 19th century English cartoonist John Leech. He created moving silhouettes which were then projected onto a wall using a magic lantern device. This early form was developed further by French artist Émile Cohl who created entirely drawn animations between 1908 and 1910 for Pathé Films in France. The earliest known examples of full-color animated movies were produced during this period by Italian animator Romano Scarpa who worked at Istituto Luce studios in Rome during the 1920s and 1930s.
By the 1940s technology had advanced enough for Walt Disney Studios to produce Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs—the world’s first feature length cel animation film—which went on to become one of the most successful movies ever made at its time, earning more than $8 million worldwide upon its release in 1937! This success encouraged other studios such as Warner Bros., MGM, Universal Pictures and UPA Productions to try their luck with similar projects utilizing different styles like rotoscoping (tracing over live action footage) or limited animation (using fewer frames per second). During this era some pioneers also experimented with stop-motion photography techniques which would later be popularized by Aardman Animations studio’s Wallace & Gromit movies among others.
In recent decades digital technologies have revolutionized how animations are created today: powerful computers allow filmmakers to bring characters alive through CGI while software like Adobe Animate enables independent artists working from home on small budgets create their own shorts without needing expensive equipment or large teams behind them; virtual reality headsets provide immersive experiences that mix real life with computer generated visuals; even smartphones have joined in allowing millions around the world access tools they can use anytime anywhere right inside their pocket! All these advancements combined have turned what was once considered just a novelty into something much bigger—an entire industry where talented creators can pursue ambitious projects no matter what their budget might be!