Who was the first character created for animation?

It's tricky to pinpoint the absolute *first* animated character, as early animation was experimental and often didn't have clear-cut characters. However, a strong contender for the earliest recognizable animated character is "The Clown," created by Émile Reynaud in 1892.

Here's why:

* Early Animation: While there were earlier attempts at animation, like the zoetrope and flip books, they didn't usually feature characters in the way we understand them today.

* "The Clown" in "Pauvre Pierrot": Reynaud's "Pauvre Pierrot" (1892) is considered one of the first fully animated films, and "The Clown" is its central figure. He is not just a shape, but has a distinct personality and acts out a story.

* Theater Optique: Reynaud's "Theater Optique" was a projector that presented these animated films, making "The Clown" a character that could be shared with a public audience.

While other animated characters like "Fantasmagorie" (1908) and "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914) are important milestones, "The Clown" stands out as a remarkably early example of a character with personality, performing actions, and engaging an audience.