Top 10 Bizarre Walt Disney Facts

3. Oswald who?

Mickey Mouse wasn't Disney's first iconic character. Mickey's predecessor, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, was created while Disney was under contract with Universal Pictures. In February 1928, Walt traveled to New York to speak with Charles Mintz, Disney's film distributor, about an increase in pay. To Walt's surprise, Mintz wanted to cut his pay by 20%! In addition, he learned that Mintz controlled the rights to Oswald. Rather than accept the cut, Walt gave up his creation. On his way home, he came up with a mouse character named Mortimer. His wife Lillian suggested the name Mickey instead, and well, the rest is history. Photo credit Disney