Icons & Visionaries

Walt Disney

Famed animator and entrepreneur Walt Disney signed this 1954 Time magazine cover which showed many of his iconic creations, including Mickey Mouse. Disney helped create the American animation industry starting with his pioneering short Steamboat Willie in 1928. Three decades after kickstarting animation films, Disney helped launch the world of theme parks with his Disneyland attraction in Anaheim. Over his career, Disney won 22 Academy Awards out of 59 nominations, both records for individuals that stand to this day.