Here's why:
* Early Forms of Animation: Before the term "animated cartoon" was coined, there were several artists experimenting with creating moving images. These included:
* Eadweard Muybridge (1878): Used multiple cameras to capture sequential images of a horse running, creating a sense of movement.
* Émile Reynaud (1892): Created the "Théâtre Optique," a projector that showed hand-painted sequences, considered an early form of animation.
* First "Cartoon" Animation: It's generally agreed that Émile Cohl is credited with making the first cartoon animation in 1908 with his film "Fantasmagorie." It featured a dynamic, abstract style and is considered a major milestone in animation history.
* The Importance of Context: While Cohl's work is widely recognized, others were experimenting with similar techniques at the same time. For instance, J. Stuart Blackton created "The Haunted Hotel" (1907), using stop-motion animation, and Winsor McCay created "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914), which was incredibly popular and innovative.
Therefore, it's difficult to pinpoint a single "first" creator. Each individual played a crucial role in the development of the art form, and their work paved the way for the animated cartoons we enjoy today.