Timeline: History and background of The Walt Disney Company

Oct 16, 1923

The first step and foundation

Walt Disney signed a contract with M. J. Winkler to produce a series of “Alice Comedies” — the date used as the start of the Disney company first known as “The Disney Brothers Studio”. [

1926

From "Disney Brother Studios" to "Walt Disney Studios"

The Disneys move to their new studio at 2719 Hyperion. The name of the company is changed from “The Disney Brothers Studio” to “Walt Disney Studios”.

Dec 18, 1928

Mickey Mouse

Steamboat Willie is released at the Colony Theatre in New York — the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released, also the first appearance of Minnie Mouse.

Dec 16, 1929

Division into four companies

The Disney brothers’ partnership is replaced by four companies: Walt Disney Productions, Ltd.; Walt Disney Enterprises; Liled Realty and Investment Company; and the Disney Film Recording Company.

1930

First Disney's book

First Disney's book was the "Mickey Mouse Book".

Jan 13, 1930

Comic strip

Mickey Mouse comic strip begins.

Jul 30, 1932

First full-color cartoon: "Flowers and trees"

Flowers and Trees, first full-color cartoon and first Academy Award winner, is released.

Dec 21, 1937

First feature-length animated film

Release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, first feature-length animated film, at the Carthay Circle Theatre.

Apr 2, 1940

First stock

Walt Disney Productions issues its first stock.

Jun 5, 1940

New location

Move of the Disney Studio to Burbank, California, is completed.

1949

New Music Company

Walt Disney Music Company formed.

Jul 19, 1950

First completely live-action feature

Release of Treasure Island, first completely live- action feature.

Dec 25, 1950

First television show

One Hour in Wonderland first television show.

Dec 16, 1952

WED Enterprises

WED Enterprises (Walt Disney Imagineering) founded by Walt.

Oct 27, 1954

First television show

First airing of Disneyland television show.

Jul 17, 1955

Disneyland

Opening of Disneyland.

Aug 29, 1964

Theaters: Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins, Walt's Disney most successful live action, opened in theaters.

Dec 15, 1966

Walt Disney dies

The founder, Walt Disney, died because of a lung cancer.

Oct 1, 1971

Walt Disney World

Opening of Walt Disney World by ROy O. Disney, who was Walt E. Disney's brother.

Oct 1, 1982

EPCOT

EPCOT Center opens.

Apr 15, 1983

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland, Disney's first international park, opens.

Apr 18, 1983

Disney Channel

The Disney Channel begins broadcasting.

Mar 9, 1984

Touchstone: Splash

Disney was not meeting the competition for films that attracted the huge teenage and adult market. To reverse that trend, Disney established a new label, Touchstone Pictures. The first release of first Touchstone film, Splash.