The Evolution of Mickey Mouse | The Walt Disney Family Museum

Mickey’s appearance and personality have noticeably changed during these past 90 years.

The action of the first Mickey cartoon was that of a teenager or young boy. It showed his mischievous side, where Mickey looks for trouble and adventure. He was a happy-go-lucky character and overconfident toward Minnie Mouse.

Mickey was only given more relatable attributes in The Karnival Kid (1929).

In Plane Crazy, he does not have white gloves or oversized shoes. He didn't even have a consistent number of fingers.

• Mickey's shoes, his trademark footwear, is introduced in the second cartoon, The Gallopin' Gaucho (1928), and stayed ever since.
• His gloves made their first appearance as part of his stage costume in The Opry House (1929). His gloves became a permanent fixture in When the Cat's Away (1929), and has remained part of his design ever since.
• His eyes first occupied his entire face but were redesigned as small, black ovals giving Mickey a greater range of facial expression.