Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is the iconic face of the Disney brand, created in 1928 by animator Walt Disney.http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/mickey.htmlhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mickey+mouse He has appeared in over 120 cartoons and films, often wearing red pants, white gloves and yellow shoes.http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/mickey.htmlhttp://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id73.htm Mickey was originally drawn with circles for his head, body and ears, but his appearance soon became more sophisticated. By 1939 his body was pear-shaped, he had white gloves, his pupils increased his range of expression and his nose was shortened.http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html Animators in the 1940s gave his ears a three-dimensional effect.http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/mickey.html Although the first two Mickey animated shorts generated little interest, Steamboat Willie was an instant hit. It premiered in New York and featured synchronized music and sound effects.http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html Walt Disney focused on marketing his character with a line of merchandise and two years later a fan club called the Mickey Mouse Club was formed.http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html

Mickey first appeared in color in 1935's The Band's Concert and by 1937 he was appearing in about 12 shorts a year.http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html An upstanding and moral character, Mickey had a number of slapstick adventures and by 1937 he was the face of a theme park, newspaper comic strip and The Mickey Mouse Club (which was now a hit television variety show).http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html However, as other Disney animated films such as Bambi (1942) and Sleeping Beauty (1959) were released, Mickey's film career slowed.http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html<ref> His last cartoons were The Simple Things in 1953 and the 1983 Christmas special Mickey's Christmas Carol.<ref>http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html<ref> Despite his semi-retirement, Mickey and his iconic, big-eared silhouette, remains a cultural icon.<ref>http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html<ref>

Ingersoll manufactured the original Mickey Mouse watch and a pocket watch in 1933. The wristwatch, which is highly sought-after by collectors, featured a round dial and three tiny Mickeys on a disc to indicate seconds. http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/watch/watch.html Mickey Mouse watches have been made continuously since then, although their cost has increased since the 1933 price of $3.25 (later lowered to $2.95). http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/watch/watch.htmlDuring the 1960s only the words "Mickey Mouse" were on the dial.http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/watch/watch.html The classic Disney watch-manufacturing contract belonged to Bradley in 1972, Lorus in 1987, and today various companies make the watches.http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/watch/watch.html