Gertie the Dinosaur

work by McCay

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July 15, 2026

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Gertie the Dinosaur is a landmark animated film created by American cartoonist Winsor McCay in 1914. It is significant because Gertie was the first animated character created specifically for film, rather than originating from a comic strip. The film consists of over 10,000 drawings, with McCay meticulously redrawing backgrounds for each frame, as techniques for keeping objects stationary had not yet been developed. McCay's masterful draftsmanship and fluid animation gave Gertie a distinct personality and presence, establishing her as the first true cartoon star and transforming the art of animation.12

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Winsor McCay
…his most famous animated film, Gertie the Dinosaur (1914). Most cartoon characters of the early 20th century had their origins in newspaper comic strips; Gertie was the first featured character created specifically for the new medium. The film was composed of more than 10,000 drawings; for each, McCay drew backgrounds…
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…his most famous animated film, Gertie the Dinosaur (1914). Most cartoon characters of the early 20th century had their origins in newspaper comic strips; Gertie was the first featured character created specifically for the new medium. The film was composed of more than 10,000 drawings; for each, McCay drew backgrounds…
Read More

animation
Early history
…in 1911, but it was Gertie the Dinosaur, created for McCay’s 1914 tour, that transformed the art. McCay’s superb draftsmanship, fluid sense of movement, and great feeling for character gave viewers an animated creature who seemed to have a personality, a presence, and a life of her own. The first…
Read More
…in 1911, but it was Gertie the Dinosaur, created for McCay’s 1914 tour, that transformed the art. McCay’s superb draftsmanship, fluid sense of movement, and great feeling for character gave viewers an animated creature who seemed to have a personality, a presence, and a life of her own. The first…
Read More