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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[File:Ed_Catmull_at_Web_Summit_2015_(cropped).jpg|thumb|Ed_Catmull_at_Web_Summit_2015_(cropped)]] '''Edwin Catmull'''<br />
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'''Edwin Earl Catmull''' (born March 31, 1945) is an American computer scientist and former president of [[Pixar]] and [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]. He is a prominent figure in the field of [[computer graphics]] and [[computer animation]].<br />
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== Early Life and Education ==<br />
Edwin Catmull was born in [[Parkersburg, West Virginia]]. He developed an early interest in [[animation]] and [[computer science]]. Catmull attended the [[University of Utah]], where he earned his bachelor's degree in [[physics]] and [[computer science]]. He later pursued a Ph.D. in [[computer science]] at the same institution, where he studied under [[Ivan Sutherland]], a pioneer in computer graphics.<br />
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== Career ==<br />
=== Early Career ===<br />
After completing his education, Catmull worked at [[The Boeing Company]] and [[New York Institute of Technology]] (NYIT). At NYIT, he was part of the Computer Graphics Lab, where he made significant contributions to the field of computer graphics.<br />
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=== Lucasfilm and Pixar ===<br />
In 1979, Catmull was hired by [[George Lucas]] to head the computer division at [[Lucasfilm]]. During his time at Lucasfilm, Catmull and his team developed several groundbreaking technologies, including the [[RenderMan]] rendering software.<br />
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In 1986, [[Steve Jobs]] purchased the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm and established it as an independent company, [[Pixar]]. Catmull became the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Pixar, where he played a crucial role in the development of the company's animation software and the production of its first feature film, ''[[Toy Story]]''.<br />
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=== Walt Disney Animation Studios ===<br />
In 2006, following the acquisition of Pixar by [[The Walt Disney Company]], Catmull was named president of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Under his leadership, both studios produced numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.<br />
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== Contributions to Computer Graphics ==<br />
Catmull is known for his pioneering work in computer graphics, including the development of [[subdivision surfaces]], [[Z-buffering]], and the [[Catmull-Rom spline]]. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field of computer animation and have been widely recognized by the industry.<br />
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== Awards and Honors ==<br />
Edwin Catmull has received numerous awards for his contributions to computer graphics and animation, including several [[Academy Awards]] for Technical Achievement. He has also been honored with the [[Turing Award]], the highest distinction in computer science.<br />
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== Personal Life ==<br />
Catmull is married and has three children. He is known for his dedication to fostering creativity and innovation within the animation industry.<br />
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== Related Pages ==<br />
* [[Pixar]]<br />
* [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]<br />
* [[RenderMan]]<br />
* [[Toy Story]]<br />
* [[Computer graphics]]<br />
* [[Subdivision surface]]<br />
* [[Z-buffering]]<br />
* [[Catmull-Rom spline]]<br />
* [[Ivan Sutherland]]<br />
* [[George Lucas]]<br />
* [[Steve Jobs]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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== External Links ==<br />
{{Commons category|Edwin Catmull}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Catmull, Edwin}}<br />
[[Category:1945 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:American computer scientists]]<br />
[[Category:Computer graphics researchers]]<br />
[[Category:Pixar people]]<br />
[[Category:Walt Disney Animation Studios people]]<br />
[[Category:Turing Award laureates]]<br />
[[Category:University of Utah alumni]]<br />
[[Category:People from Parkersburg, West Virginia]]<br />
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