When Mickey Mouse first appeared in Steamboat Willie in 1928, he was a scrappy, mischievous character with a playful spirit that captivated audiences. The black-and-white cartoon wasn’t just a technical marvel with synchronized sound; it marked the beginning of a legacy. Mickey quickly became a cultural phenomenon, his cheerful face recognized around the world. But as Disney grew, so too did Mickey, evolving in both style and substance to stay relevant in an ever-changing world.