Comment by JoeDaDude

For those interested in the subject, animation has quite a history before Disney came onto the scene. I suggest this book:

Before Mickey: The Animated Film 1898-1928 by Donald Crafton

Personally, I remain impressed to this day with the pioneering work of Winsor McCay, the cartoonist who created Little Nemo. Perhaps the best example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW71mSedJuU