history

beginnings in lucasfilm

Founded as a division of Lucasfilm, Pixar was originally named the Graphics Group. They worked with Industrial Light and Magic on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Young Sherlock Holmes. While part of Lucasfilm, John Lasseter created The Adventures of André and Wally B.

purchase by steve jobs

After leaving Apple Computer in 1986, Steve Jobs purchased Pixar for $5 million from George Lucas and funded the company with and additional $5 million. Jobs was instated as Charman and CEO until he left in 2006 for the Disney board of directors. Pixar's first sold the Pixar Imaging Computer, a commercial graphics program. Due to slow sales but success in demo and contracted animations, Pixar switched to animation production.

involvement with disney

An initial agreement was made where Pixar would make three movies that Disney would advertise and distribute. Later conflicts caused Pixar to campaign for film production rights and the ability to market and advertise its own films. This led to tension between the two companies until Disney acquired Pixar on January 26, 2006 for $7.4 billion in stock.