The Ride Back Home
During a cross-country rail trip to New York in early 1928, Walt Disney not only lost his cartoon star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, but half of his animation staff to his film distributor. Before boarding the return train to California, Walt sent his brother, Roy, a telegram: “Don’t worry, everything OK.” On the train home, Walt contemplated a new character — a mouse, which he named Mortimer. His wife, Lillian, had a different idea, and Mickey Mouse was born. What can we learn from Walt’s ride home?