Felix the Cat

Origin

Felix the Cat was created in the 1919 and was a star of silent films and the world’s most popular cartoon character until losing that title to rival Mickey Mouse, who came about ten years after Felix was created and initially resembled him more than a little. He came out of the studios of Pat Sullivan, but who his actual creator(s) are/were are still in dispute, but probably Otto Messmer. He first appeared in his own comic strip in 1923 due to fan popularity. Ever since the 1920’s many Felix the Cat merchandises have been made including a famous clock of him. Felix cartoons began airing in 1953 til 1958 and another cartoon of Felix aired in 1991. According to Felix’s creator Otto on his blog he states in 2011 Cartoon Network will be airing a brand new series of Felix called ‘The Felix The Cat Show’. Online there’s a French article of this floating around that shows a CGI picture of the show.

In the animated film shorts, Felix was able to detach his tail and shape it into any number of useful shapes and devices. On television, this was changed, and Felix now relies instead on a magic bag of tricks (a vintage carpet bag) that can transform into any object he can imagine, providing him with the ability to get himself out of any jams he happens to find himself in but only when he has the imagination to make full use of the possibilities of his magic bag.

Cultural Influence

Ever since Felix has been created he took a global domination due to his popularity and uniqueness. In 1921 a local Chevrolet car dealer place used a neon sign of Felix for decoration. In the late 1920’s til 1948 Felix was the mascot on the the U.S. Navy’s Bombing Squadron Two patch. Sega’s well known character Sonic the Hedgehog was somewhat based on Felix with his looks, also the first image ever broadcast via television was a statue of Felix.