Iwerks, Ub (1900-1971) -
A close friend of
Walt's when they were both teenagers, just
getting started in business in Kansas City, Ub
later joined Walt in California, and, as the more
proficient artist, was called upon by Walt to do
much of the animation and character design. The
first drawings of Mickey Mouse were by Ub,
and he animated the first three Mickey cartoons
almost single-handedly. He left the Studio for ten
years, but then returned in the 1950s, by now
intrigued by cameras and technical processes.
His work culminated in Academy Awards for
the optical printer and for the traveling matte
process, used in the combination of live action
and animation in "Mary Poppins."
