100 Years of Magic: 1940

During the nebulous 100 Years of Magic Celebration that swept the Disney Company in 2001, many different products were released to bolster sales and attendance at the theme parks. The celebration was also another 18-month event that was supposed to drive people back to the parks after the Millennium Celebration. One of the nerdier collectibles was the set of 28 trading cards that featured an important year in the Company's history--with a photograph on the front and several facts on the back. In order to be more inclusive, the cards featured a few non-Disney items as well.

Let's take a look at 1940.

By the late 1930's, the Disney staff had expanded to a record high of nearly 1,500. Needing a bigger facility, Walt and Roy used the profits from Snow White to build a $3 million dollar studio in Burbank. By May 6, 1940, the entire staff had moved into its new home.

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1940 - Artist Ub Iwerks returns to the Disney Studio as head of the technical research division.
1940 - Vermont was the first to issue a U.S. citizen a Social Secutiry check.
On February 14, 1940, a porpoise was born in captivity for the first time.
1940 - Disney issues its first annual report.

The Front of the 1940 Trading Card.

The Backside of Water, er, the 1940 Trading Card.