Hanna Barbera History

The legendary animation team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera first met while working for Fred Quimby at MGM Studios. The Academy Award® nominated short "Puss Gets the Boot," the first Hanna-Barbara collaboration, featured the precursors to Tom and Jerry. Between 1943 and 1953 Hanna-Barbera's Tom and Jerry would earn them a record-breaking seven Oscars® for MGM's animated shorts.

In 1957, while production studios like MGM were thinning out and even shutting down thier animation departments, Will Hanna and Joe Barbera decided to form their own company, one that would focus on aniamtion.  Hanna and Barbera wanted to create original animation for television-- a brand new concept. 

Hanna and Barbera faced the challenge of creating original animation programming on a very limited budget...with so many animators out of work in Hollywood, they developed a team of great artists and writers to re-invent cartoons for television.

Hanna-Barbera's first television stars were Ruff and Reddy, followed by Huckelberry Hound in 1958. Huckleberry Hound was the first cartoon to receive an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Children's Programming. Among Hanna-Barbera's other renowned characters are Yogi Bear, Quick Draw McGraw, Auggie Doggie and Doggie Daddy, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Yogi and Boo Boo Bear, Scooby Doo, Quick Draw McGraw, and many more.

Hanna-Barbera's quick gags and comedic wit allowed the duo to create the world's first half-hour animated situation comedy - "The Flintstones," based on "The Honeymooner's". The "Flintstones" would become one of the most watched and loved animated families, remaining in primetime for six years. Two years later, in 1962, America would meet George Jetson and his wife Jane in the futuristic based situation comedy "The Jetsons".

The unprecedented 'Masters Of The Small Screen', Hanna-Barbera's lifetime of achievement has provided some of televisions most memorable cartoon characters. Having produced well over 3,000 cartoons, the team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera have created an extensive legacy guaranteed to delight generations yet to come.