The first animated cartoon was produced in 1908 in France. In the 1930s-1960s, cartoons flourished and were commonly shown before movies. Walt Disney produced Steamboat Willie in 1928, introducing synchronized sound to cartoons. Today, animation is often computer-generated, though some argue this does not qualify as true cartoons. The Flintstones was the first successful primetime animated series in the US.

1. The History of Cartoons