ANCIENT& not so ancient WISDOM
offering a weekly positive perspective

February 13, 2003

All of our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them.

- Walt Elias Disney, 1901-1966

Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 5, 1901. He became interested in drawing at an early age, selling his first sketches to neighbors when he was only seven years old. At 16, he joined the Red Cross and was sent overseas, where he
spent a year driving an ambulance, which he covered from with drawings and cartoons.

In August of 1923, Walt Disney and his brother, Roy Disney, invested their resources, $300 and borrowed an additional $500, and constructed a camera stand in their uncle's garage. Soon, they received an order from New York for the first "Alice Comedy" featurette.

Mickey Mouse was created in 1928, and his talents were first used in a silent cartoon
entitled "Plane Crazy." However, before the cartoon could be released, sound burst upon the motion picture screen. Thus Mickey made his screen debut in "Steamboat Willie," the world's first fully-synchronized sound cartoon. On December 21, 1937 they released, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first full-length animated musical feature, produced at the unheard cost of $1,499,000 during the depths of the Depression, the film is still accounted as one of the great feats and imperishable monuments of the motion picture industry.

His worldwide popularity was based upon the ideas which his name represents: imagination, optimism and self-made success in the American tradition. Walt Disney did more to touch the hearts, minds, and emotions of millions of Americans than any other man in the past century. Through his work, he brought joy, happiness and a universal means of communication to the people of every nation.

Wishing you great and continued success!

Sincerely,