Ed Catmull

Ed Catmull, a pioneer in computer graphics, co-founded Pixar and served as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios. After making foundational contributions to computer graphics, including texture mapping, bicubic patches, and algorithms for spatial anti-aliasing and subdivision surfaces during his doctoral studies at the University of Utah, Ed Catmull went on to create ‘A Computer Animated Hand’ in 1972. This significant early example of computer animation was later incorporated into the 1976 film ‘Futureworld’ and preserved in the National Film Registry. After completing his Ph.D.

After a distinguished career spanning several decades, Catmull retired from his leadership roles at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios in July 2019. His profound impact on the field of computer-generated imagery was recognized with the prestigious 2019 ACM Turing Award, often referred to as the ‘Nobel Prize of Computing,’ solidifying his legacy as a visionary and innovator in animation and technology.