What did the original drawings of Mickey Mouse look like?

Ub Iwerks, known as "Ubbe", was Walt Disney's chief animator during the Golden Age of American animation in the 1930s. In the early 1930s, Iwerks collaborated closely with Disney on the creation of Mickey Mouse, contributing significantly to the character's design and development.

Initially, Mickey Mouse was characterized by his simple, rounded figure and large eyes. Iwerks brought considerable refinement to Mickey's design, introducing subtle changes that enhanced his personality and expressiveness. He accentuated Mickey's ears and added black circles to his eyes, giving the character a more distinctive and endearing appearance.

Iwerks also played a pivotal role in developing the early Mickey Mouse animations. He pioneered innovative techniques such as "straight ahead" and "pose-to-pose" animation, which allowed for greater fluidity of movement and a more dynamic portrayal of the character. His groundbreaking contributions helped establish Mickey Mouse as a beloved icon and a worldwide cultural phenomenon.