The Evolution of Betty Boop

Betty Boop was created by Max Fleischer as a potential love interest for Bimbo. She became the first fully human female animated character and from then on she wasn't a sidekick or a damsel in distress but the star of the show. The evolution of Betty Boop was very much rooted in the fashion and music trends of the jazz age. Her signature baby voice and scat singing were inspired by several popular singers and actresses of the era including Baby Esther Jones, Betty Smith and Gertrude Saunders. Although her appearance changed over time the sound has stayed more or less the same throughout her career even though her voice was provided by several different women.