12 Things You Didn't Know About Pixar

By Brian Wilson / July 13, 2016

Since its foundation in 1986, Pixar Animation Studios has gone on to become the most critically lauded animation studio in the Western world, responsible for the creation of some of the most popular and iconic animated films of all time.

Over the years, Pixar has earned hundreds of accolades, including sixteen Academy Awards. At this point it's safe to say that the studio will be around for a very long time to come.

But what you mightn't know is just how unique the studio's history is. Pixar didn't just spring from nowhere, and was made possible by two people that will likely surprise you.

With that said, here are 12 things you didn't know about Pixar.

12. It Was Originally A Division Of Lucasfilm

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These days Pixar might be known as one of the most popular and critically acclaimed animated film studios of all time, but its origins are a lot more surprising than you might think. In 1979, Ed Catmull was recruited by George Lucas from The New York Institute of Technology in order to head Lucasfilm's Computer Division.

The Computer Division was responsible for coming up with new computer software designed to aid the film industry. Lucas specifically requested everything from a digital film editing system and a digital film printer to general research into improving computer graphics.

In 1983, John Lasseter, the current chief creative officer of Pixar, joined Lucasfilm's Computer Division and was soon hired full-time as an 'Interface Designer'. It wasn't until several years later that the company changed dramatically…