New Books in Science, Technology, and Society Colin Williamson, "Drawn to Nature: American Animation in the Age of Science" (U Minnesota Press, 2025)
Dec 25, 2025
Colin Williamson, a film historian and assistant professor at the University of Oregon, dives into the fascinating relationship between animation and science. He discusses how early American animators, like Disney and the Fleischer Brothers, were inspired by scientific discoveries. The interplay between nature and industrialization in cartoons reveals anxieties of the time while showcasing revolutionary artistic techniques. Williamson also highlights how animations from Fantasia to UPA reflected contemporary scientific debates, illuminating the cultural impact of science on animation.
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Animation's Scientific Entanglement
- American animators repeatedly engaged scientific ideas from biology, physics, and geology across the 20th century.
- This cross-disciplinary interaction reshapes how we read cartoons beyond mere entertainment.
Industrialization And Cartoon Anxiety
- Early American animation both celebrated industrialization and expressed anxiety about its chaotic effects.
- Animators often staged fantasies where artistic control restored order to industrial chaos.
Nature As A Testbed For Technology
- Nature and industrial modernity were intertwined in American culture, not opposites.
- Animators used natural themes to test cinematic technologies and assert control over motion.