User blog:ARTaylor/Walt Disney's 115 Birthday

Today marks the one-hundred fifteenth anniversary of the birth of Walter Elias Disney. Born in Chicago, Walt took an early interest in drawing and illustration and in the 1920s he and his brother Roy set up the Disney Brothers Studio. He developed the most iconic cartoon character ever made, Mickey Mouse, in 1928 and began developing short animated films. The brothers helped pioneer colored features, synchronized sound, and voice acting. They developed the first full feature length animated film and later created some of the most iconic children films ever. He also pioneered the combination of live action and animation. Sometimes known as Uncle Walt, he began expanding his media company into the amusement park industry, which now has locations all over the world that are amongst the most visited on the planet. He is perhaps the most beloved creator of the twentieth century. He currently holds the record for most Academy Awards won by an individual having won twenty-two Oscars from his fifty-nine nominations. He has numerous post-humous awards and recognitions and has been portrayed several times in film and television. The name Disney has become synonymous with family entertainment. Oh, and that business he and his brother started? The Walt Disney Company is the world's second largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue with numerous subsidiaries including Pixar Studios, Lucasfilm, ESPN, the American Broadcasting Company, and a little comic book company named Marvel Entertainment.