L’incroyable histoire de Pixar, des débuts au sommet

The Incredible Story of Pixar, From Humble Beginnings to the Top

1166 words | Reading time: 6 minutes

Behind the scenesPixarToy Story

Before being a film studio, Pixar sold computer hardware. It all begins in 1979 in a Lucasfilm division dedicated to computer-generated imagery, where Ed Catmull and John Lasseter perfect their tools; in 1986, Steve Jobs buys the company and finances its transformation. The shorts Red's Dream (1987), Tin Toy (1988, first Oscar for 3D animation) and Knick Knack (1989) build its reputation, before Toy Story (1995) establishes the first feature film entirely in 3D. This article retraces the rise, from the Braintrust to RenderMan.

The History of Pixar: From Garage to Animation Giant

Glass facade of the main building at Pixar's headquarters, lit up at nightfall
Pixar's headquarters in Emeryville, California: the main building bears Steve Jobs's name. Photo: Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Summary

The history of Pixar is one of a revolution in animated cinema. From a modest computer lab to a globally recognized studio, the company has transformed the way stories are told through digital animation.

Origins: from Lucasfilm to independence

In 1979, a pioneering computer division was created within Lucasfilm to explore computer-generated imagery. The objective was clear: to push the technological boundaries of animation and visual effects.

Talents like Ed Catmull and John Lasseter developed revolutionary tools, blending advanced technology with emotional visual storytelling.

In 1986, Steve Jobs acquired the company and financed its development, allowing Pixar to economically survive and evolve towards cinematic animation.

The Pixar Image Computer, a grey case engraved with the word Pixar, displayed next to an old monitor
The Pixar Image Computer: before the films, the company sold computer hardware. Photo: Brad Montgomery, CC BY 2.0.

🎧 Before the films, Pixar sold that grey box sitting next to an old monitor, the Pixar Image Computer; the little case you actually carry in your pocket fits better in our Cars cases and covers for AirPods.

Foundational short films

Pixar became known through innovative short films, including Luxo Jr., which became the studio's emblem.

  • Red’s Dream (1987)
  • Tin Toy (1988), the first Oscar for 3D animation
  • Knick Knack (1989)

These successes prompted Pixar to abandon hardware to fully dedicate itself to the creation of animated films.

Two articulated desk lamps, a large one and a small one, around a yellow and blue ball
Luxo Jr. (1986) and its ball: the little lamp became the studio's emblem.

Toy Story and the 3D revolution

In 1995, Toy Story was released, the first feature film entirely in 3D animation. The film achieved immediate global success and definitively transformed the animated film industry.

Buzz Lightyear, wings spread, glides through the sky with Woody clinging to him
Buzz Lightyear and Woody, the heroes of Toy Story: in 1995, the first feature film made entirely in 3D.

🧸 In 1995, Woody and Buzz Lightyear proved that toys could carry a whole feature film; on your bed, that starring role goes to our Cars plushies and comforters.

The Golden Age of Pixar

  • A Bug's Life (1998)
  • Toy Story 2 (1999)
  • Monsters, Inc. (2001)
  • Finding Nemo (2003)
  • The Incredibles (2004)
  • Cars (2006)

Pixar produced a string of critical and commercial masterpieces and established itself as the global benchmark for modern animation.

An orange clownfish and a blue fish with yellow fins swim above a coral reef
Marlin and Dory in Finding Nemo (2003), one of the hits that follow one another between 1998 and 2006.

The acquisition by Disney

In 2006, Disney acquired Pixar for approximately 7.4 billion dollars, while maintaining its creative independence.

This acquisition allowed the studio to continue innovating while benefiting from massive financial power.

Television truck parked in front of the entrance gateway marked Pixar Animation Studios
A television van outside the studio entrance, on the day the news breaks of Disney's purchase of Pixar. Photo: evan p. cordes, CC BY 2.0.

The Pixar culture

Pixar developed the Braintrust, a system of collaborative critiques where creators help each other to improve each film.

Story always takes precedence over technology, which is the emotional strength of Pixar productions.

A vast glazed hall with a light wooden floor, with tables and a few people at the far end
The atrium of Pixar's headquarters: the big central hall where all the studio's teams cross paths. Photo: Jason Pratt, CC BY 2.0.

The technological legacy

Pixar created RenderMan, a revolutionary rendering engine that became a global benchmark in the film industry.

The studio also transformed the simulation of water, light, and digital textures.

💧 The water RenderMan learned to simulate never gets anyone wet; the water you really take with you travels in our Cars water bottles.

📘 Discover the incredible story of Steve Jobs and Pixar.

🤝 Understand how the Disney-Pixar merger happened.

⚔️ And in the other corner of the ring: the incredible history of Disney, from its humble beginnings to its global empire.

Computer-generated image of a smooth green vase and a grey teapot with a bumpy surface on a white background
An image rendered by a RenderMan-compatible engine: the displacement shader sculpts the material of the teapot. Photo: Morn, CC0.

Summary table of Pixar's evolution

Period Key Event Impact
1979–1986 Creation at Lucasfilm and acquisition by Steve Jobs Birth of Pixar
1986–1995 Revolutionary short films Global recognition
1995 Toy Story 3D animation revolution
1998–2006 Succession of hits Market domination
2006 Acquisition by Disney Global expansion

FAQ about Pixar

  • When did Pixar become independent?
    In 1986.
  • What is the first Pixar movie?
    Toy Story.
  • Why is Pixar so influential?
    Thanks to technological innovation and narrative quality.
  • Does Pixar belong to Disney?
    Yes, since 2006.
  • Which software revolutionized Pixar animation?
    RenderMan.

Pixar is today a pillar of world cinema, having redefined modern animation through its blend of emotion, technology, and creativity.

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