Animation refers to the creation of moving images through a sequence of still pictures or frames. The history of animation can be divided into four distinct periods: the silent era (pre-1928), the golden age (1930-1960), the limited animation period (1960-1980), and the contemporary era (1980 to present). The silent era saw the emergence of pioneering animation techniques like cel animation and stop-motion animation. During the golden age, animation studios like Disney and Warner Bros. produced iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. The limited animation period saw the rise of television animation, while the contemporary era has been marked by the increased use of computer-generated animation.