Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Company. Debuting in the animated short film "Steamboat Willie" in 1928, he quickly became an iconic character and the official mascot of Disney. His creation came about during a challenging time for Disney, after the loss of the character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Mickey's personality was designed to be cheerful and optimistic, representing the values of joy and imagination. Over the years, he has become a symbol of popular culture and has appeared in countless films, TV shows, and merchandise.