Mickey Mouse Many years ago who would have believed a small little rodent creature would be the icon of not just a multi-billion dollar company, but a symbol of innocence, youth, and happiness. The icon of course is no other than Mickey Mouse, a character that has hundreds of different meanings to many different people. Mickey today is not the same mouse that first appeared in 1928. Mickey was once a mischievous, adventurer, and over the years has transformed into a cheerful, calm, educational tool. Mickey Mouse originally created to be only an animation appeared on the big screen on November 18, 1928. Mickey Mouse’s first appearance was in “Plane Crazy” (1928). This short film was about Mickey becoming a pilot as an attempt to impress his future girlfriend Minnie Mouse. His goal throughout the cartoon was to get Minnie to kiss him while flying the plane. He tries so hard to get the kiss that he leaves Minnie to no other choice, but to parachute out of the plane to escape. Shortly after this cartoon was made another one titled “ Gallopin’ Gaucho” (1928), but it was not until “Steamboat Willie” (1928) that Mickey became very popular. During Walt Disney’s time other cartoonists were trying out innuendo and sexuality, or trying to steal ideas from one another, the Walt Disney creations became original, enjoyable and something for the entire family, regardless of age to enjoy together. Mickey Mouse has a very unique personality that represents his founder Walt Disney. Mickey has become a global phenomenon, and just like his creator the value of “never quitting” is easily identified as something they both have in common. This is the main reason that Mickey Mouse has become so successful. They both took on the challenge of the hard times because they knew eventually they would become successful. Mickey was a very inspirational character by never giving up, being an example of good things to come to all those affected by the Great Depression. Mickey always will solve any problem with a smile on his face because Disney always solved a problem with a smile on his face. They both knew how to keep their heads up and to look for the good things in life and move forward, rather than seek more problems. According to Disney’s sister Ruth “Walt would always seemed like a kid to me.” Mickey was created to keep the youth and fun around for everyone. Walt admitted “That his sketches looked like him and that this was because he would look in the mirror and use his face as a model and that many of the facial expressions were his.” Geometrically Mickey is a very simple character to draw. He is made up of many circles, some ovals, and lines. When drawing Mickey he is easy at first because of the same shape that is being drawn over at different dimensions. When drawing the final product it becomes more challenging because now the circles you have drawn must be changed into hands and a body figure to complete the drawing of Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse is truly an inspirational character to the entire world. He shows that everyone is faced with challenges and that if you keep your head held high you will be able to overcome all that life throws at you. Many people see Mickey as a fun and loving character which he is, but if you read the history of the real Mickey you will come to a deeper understanding of how Mickey is a true inspiration for the entire world to see.

Works Cited
Mickey Mouse- A reflection of Walt Disney. Timothy McGaffin II, June 2007. Web. 4 Jan. 2013. .
Mickey Mouse History. Cheryl Holdridge, n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013. .
"Mickey Mouse (U.S.)." The World Encyclopedia of Cartoons. Ed. Maurice Horn. Vol. 1. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 1983. 388-89. Print.