Icon Analysis

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009). Michael was the eighth child born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Michael began his music career in 1964 when he debuted with his brothers as The Jackson 5, and in 1971 Michael began his career as a solo entertainer. In 1980 he was recognized as a dominant entertainer in popular music with his hits “Beat It”, Billie Jean,” and “Thriller.”

Michael Jackson was and still is known as the “King of Pop”. He was recognized as the most successful entertainer of all times by Guinness World Records. He was a global figure in popular culture for over four decades because of his contributions to music, dance, and fashion. 

Michael Jackson is important to me because he was one of the most successful black artists, he was the first black artist debuted on MTV. His music and entertainment inspired many young artists to be who they are today. His music will and always be loved by many generations to come. 

Walter Elias “Walt” Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Hermosa, Illinois. Both he and his brother Roy co-founded Walt Disney Productions. Today this is known as the best motion-picture production companies in the world. Walt Disney was a very innovative animator; he created the famous cartoon character Mickey Mouse. Disney won 22 Academy Awards for his work and was the founder of the world famous theme parks Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Disney is important to popular culture for his creation of Mickey Mouse and friends such as Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto. In 1933 during the Great Depression, “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” the title song from The Three Little Pigs, became the theme song for the country. Walt Disney created the first full length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which premiered in Los Angeles on December 21, 1937. The film produced $1.499 million and won a total of 8 Oscars. Disney also created other famous films, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland, Lady in the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, and 101 Dalmatians which are still loved by many and watched today by members of all genres. 

Disney was one of the first to use television as an entertainment medium. The Zorro and Davy Crockett series were very popular among children as well as The Mickey Mouse Club. Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color which premiered on Sunday nights was a popular TV show that Disney used to begin promoting his new theme park. The last major production that Disney produced was the famous motion picture Mary Poppins, which he used to mix live action and animation. 

Walt Disney is important to me because without him we wouldn’t have the pleasure to enjoy the world famous films he produced as well as the theme parks which can be enjoyed by people of all ages, ethnicity, and religion. His movies are loved by everyone today and is a great way to spend quality time with your families. 

Microsoft, one of the world’s most valuable companies, was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. The American multinational software corporation is located in Redmond, Washington. The company develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a huge range of products and services which are related to computers. 

Microsoft was originally created to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800, a microcomputer designed in 1975. In 1980 Microsoft dominated the personal computer system with MS-DOS, which was then followed by Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft cleared the way for other software innovators. According to a poll in France 7 out of 10 people think Microsoft did more to change the world than Apple (Gobry, 2011). 

Microsoft is an important software product to me that we use everyday in our personal lives and work. It offers the advantage of a visual interconnection of the user with its icons, and dialog boxes, its user friendly functions and affordability. Also the software allows us to process a variety of information in many different ways and allows us to present it in many forms.