some animation history

Features of theatrical animated entertainment have certainly transformed over the years, paving the way for animated 30 minute prime-time shows like The Simpsons (the longest running prime-time animated series in history) and Family Guy (the massively popular show as it pushes the limits of decency with sexual innuendo and adult themes- quiet the rave among young and old adults alike). The Flintstones cartoon, aired from 1960 to 1966 on ABC, was the first thirty-minute cartoon to be aired during prime time. As a side note, the first couple shown in bed together on prime-time TV was Fred and Wilma. So thank you very much to Hanna-Barbera, the animated cartoon production company responsible for The Flintstones, which also gave us such classics as The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and The Smurfs, many of which became icons of Western pop culture.


As my father would agree: animation, including Disney, Hanna Barbera, et al. is part of American literary history and should be taught in schools alongside Mark Twain.