Betty Boop - How It All Began

When looking at the history of our icon, it's best to start at the very, very beginning, of course.

The first appearance of Betty Boop was in the 6th Talkartoon starring Bimbo the Dog, entitled "Dizzy Dishes" (1930). Grim Natwick was the first Animator to draw Betty, who had not yet been officially named. And so began the history of Betty Boop, the world famous cartoon character!
Natwick took inspiration for Betty's spit curls from a song sheet of Helen Kane commonly called the "Boop Oop a Doop Girl". Her high baby voice, like her spit curls, were in imitation of singer Helen Kane.

Betty Boop's first starring role was in "Betty Coed" (1931), which also marked the first time the name "Betty" was connected with the character.

Betty started out being designed as a human-like dog, only her black button nose and floppy ears hinting at her canine nature. She was initially the nameless girlfriend of Bimbo The Dog. This would develop into the popular and world famous character, Betty Boop.

It's totally true! Betty started her career as a dog. She was a feminine canine foil to play opposite Bimbo.

In "Any Rags" (1932), Betty became completely human, and her ears permanently became earrings. As for her famous garter, Betty started out with two, then early drawings showing her still with ears, show the garter on her right leg.

When she became a regular, however, and her features were officially set, the garter moved to her left leg, and stayed there (see the rotating figure below, as an example).

And so there you have a brief Betty Boop history!