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…