The LOC.GOV Wise Guide : It's a Dud!

This is one ?Dud? you?ll enjoy. There?s a new fun and educational game in the ?See, Hear and Sing? section of the America?s Library Web site. The game, called "You're the Animator," lets you be an animator using the cartoon character Dud, who was created about 1915. Dud comes from the early days of animation, but using 21st century technology, you can make your own Dud cartoon, view it and then make another.

Dud from the game 'You're the Animator' in the America's Library Web site

America's Library is a Web site for kids and families that tells the stories of America's past using fascinating materials from the Library of Congress.

You can learn how cartoons are made in the Dud game and then read about the history of animation in the presentation "Origins of American Animation." The development of early American animation is represented by this collection of 21 animated films and two fragments, made from 1900 to 1921. The films include clay, puppet and cut-out animation as well as pen drawings. They point to a connection between newspaper comic strips and early animated films, as represented by "Keeping Up with the Joneses," "Krazy Kat" and "The Katzenjammer Kids." The films reveal the development of animation and the social attitudes of early 20th century America.

This presentation also offers two animated films on which the Dud game is based. You can see "He Resolves Not to Smoke" and "Dud Leaves Home." The earliest works in "Origins of American Animation" were created in 1900 and are from the studios of Thomas Edison.

A. Dud from the game "You're the Animator" in the America's Library Web site.

B. Cel from "Dud Leaves Home," 1919. Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division.