Early history of 2D Animation.

After researching in to the historical side of 2D animation it can be dated maybe more then 5000 years ago but not of course not a moving animation but the foundation of the genreal movement of an animal show in a sequences of pictures as used today to make animations frame by frame, these examples of proof can be found in the paleolithic cave paintings which would act out such things as hunting or fighting using more or less stickmen but shown in a sequences.

One of the first examples of these sequences was found on a vase in iran around 5000 years ago clearly showing the movement of a deer in its different stages over 5 images as shown below

Even tho you cant really call this an animation it is definally a foot step in the right direction to show where the idea of animation came from but intill simple equipment was available, people drawing on the walls and vases was the closest to an animation.


The Phenakistoscope was one of the first devices to be able to view the animation of certain pictures in a sequences without having to see all the images in one go, also a commonly used device would have been the simple flip book which was a popular animation devices invented during the 19th century, the Phenakistoscope was invented in 180 AD by a few different peoples ideas but was first fully made by Belgian Joseph Plateau, Plateau planned it in 1829 and invented it in 1832 and here is an example of a Phenakistoscope.

Eadweard Muybridge

Eadweard was id say the first person to have made an animation come to life with his short clip of a Horse, he only did this animation just to see if a horses feet were always on the floor well it was running along or if at some point no feet were on the floor.