“He popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when the business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb, and disaster seemed right around the corner.” – Walt Disney
Walt and his brother Roy were at an all-time low, having just gotten a possible career ending blow. Walt, not wanting his brother to worry, wrote him a letter from New York. It said, “Don’t worry, everything’s okay.” However, it wasn’t. Walt knew that he better have a new character, and have it fast. It was this train ride back from New York where Mickey Mouse was born.
The first Mickey cartoon was actually called Plane Crazy, and was inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, it failed to get distribution. The second Mickey cartoon, The Gallopin’ Gaucho, had the same fate. However, the third time was the charm for Mickey. Steamboat Willy premiered on November 18, 1928, and was an instant success.
Now, Mickey Mouse is one of the most well-known characters around the world, showing up in millions of households. Disney World has even been hiding Mickey’s all over their parks for years- you can find a list of hidden Mickey’s here.
Mickey is still known to fly in the plane from Plane Crazy- now known as the ToonPlane.
“Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse!”
– Mickey
Fun Fact: People so often feel the need to vote for Mickey as a write-in candidate at elections that the state of Georgia actually had to make it illegal to vote for Mickey. Hot dog!
Disney Easter Eggs 