What is the first cartoon?

It's difficult to definitively say what the *first* cartoon is, as the term "cartoon" has evolved over time and early forms of animation were quite different from what we consider cartoons today. However, some contenders for the title include:

* "Fantasmagorie" (1908): This French animated short film by Émile Cohl is often considered the first fully animated cartoon. It features simple, stick-figure characters and a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

* "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" (1906): This American animated short by J. Stuart Blackton is another early example of animation that featured live-action elements. It showed drawings of faces changing expressions, creating a precursor to modern animation techniques.

* "The Enchanted Drawing" (1900): While not a full animation, this short film by Émile Reynaud is often credited as the first projected animated film. It used a technique called "théâtre optique" to bring drawings to life.

Ultimately, the "first cartoon" is a matter of interpretation and depends on what criteria you use to define "cartoon." However, these early works of animation laid the foundation for the art form we know and love today.