The year 1927 conjures up many memories of news events — Civil War flaring up in China, the execution of Ruth Brown Snyder and Henry Judd Grey for the murder of her husband, Lindbergh's famous flight to Paris, Tunney winning a second decision over Dempsey without benefit of a long count, and the creation of Walt Disney's famous character — MICKEY MOUSE.
Conceived on a train, Mickey Mouse has now reigned as the most familiar personality on earth for almost forty-six years. And, what years those have been for both Walt and Mickey.
Walt Disney came to California in 1923, the proud possessor of a few drawing materials, a small amount of cash, a well-worn suit and a completed fairy tale animation subject. Joining forces with his brother, Roy, they pooled their respective fortunes, $40 and $250, scraped up an additional $500 and set up shop in their uncle's garage.
It wasn't long before they were doing animated featurettes and were able to expand their operation into the rear of a Hollywood real-estate office. There things ran smoothly until 1927 — when disaster struck.
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