Koko The Clown - Early Creation of The Fleischer Brothers

Koko the Clown was an animated character created by animation pioneer, Max Fleischer. It is disputed whether the character's name is spelled "Koko" or "Ko-Ko" as it varies between films.

Koko was created when Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope, a device that allowed for animation to be more lifelike, by tracing human movement.

To test out his new invention Fleischer photographed his brother, Dave in a clown suit. After tracing and animating the footage, Koko the Clown was born.

Using this device, the Fleischer Brothers were able to secure a contract with the John R. Bray Studios in 1919 to produce their own series called Out of the Inkwell.

Aside from the use of the rotoscope, the new series also offered a combination of live-action and animation. The films usually were centered on Max Fleischer as the creative cartoonist who would always have to keep Koko in check. Koko would often slip from Max's eye and end up either going on an adventure of some sort, or pulling a prank on his human superior.

The series became very successful and in 1921, Fleischer Studios was born.

Eventually, a new character, Fitz the Dog, (later known as Bimbo the Dog), was added to the series. Together, Fitz and Koko would wreak all sorts of havoc on Fleischer and anyone else who just happened to be in the cartoon studio with him. So, in 1927, the series was renamed Inkwell Imps.

In 1931, Koko was taken out of retirement and became a regular in the new Fleischer Talkartoons series with contemporary co-stars, Betty Boop and Bimbo. After Fleischer was bought out by Paramount Studios, Koko continued to be revived periodically for made for television cartoons into the early 1960s.