On this day in 1945, computer scientist and Pixar Animation Studios co-founder Ed Catmull was born. As a PhD in computer science, George Lucas hired Catmull to create a “computer division” inside Lucasfilm — ILM. There, he was a pioneer in computer graphics, developing digital image compositing technology. Steve Jobs purchased this division in 1986, and it became Pixar. Catmull also served as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios before his retirement. [80th birthday in 2025]
