Betty Boop is a classic American 16 Year Old cartoon character created in the early 1930s by animator Max Fleischer, with key design work by Grim Natwick. She debuted in the 1930 short Dizzy Dishes and quickly became one of animation’s first major female icons. She matters because she was one of the earliest animated characters to embody the flapper style of the Jazz Age—short dress, bobbed hair, bold personality—and she pushed boundaries for how women were portrayed in media. Her “boop‑oop‑a‑doop” catchphrase became a cultural signature, and she starred in 90 theatrical cartoons between 1930 and 1939. Why she became iconic - Jazz-age femininity: She represented independence, flirtation, and confidence at a time when women’s roles were rapidly changing. - Censorship battles: Mid‑1930s moral codes forced her character to become more modest, which shaped her evolution. - Cultural influence: Her image appears on merchandise, fashion, and art worldwide, keeping her relevant nearly a century later. Origins and inspiration Betty Boop was originally designed as an anthropomorphic dog, but by 1932 she evolved into a fully human character. Her style and voice were heavily inspired by singer Helen Kane, who popularized the baby‑talk singing style that became Betty’s trademark.