August 4, 1941 – A Letter of Agreement is Signed Between Disney and the National Film Board of Canada
“I am convinced that certainly, in the technical film, the animated way is the best from the teacher’s point of view.” – John Grierson, Head of the National Film Board of Canada
On August 4, 1941, a Letter of Agreement between Walt Disney Studios and the National Film Board of Canada was signed. Walt had met with John Grierson, the head of the board, who had realized that there were several limitations in creating technical training films with live-action. Grierson was impressed with the work that the studio had done for Lockheed Martin, which was the short training film Four Methods of Flush Riveting. The studio was hired to make four animated short films to sell war bonds, with the studio reusing animation to meet tight deadlines. The four shorts included The Thrifty Pig, 7 Wise Dwarfs, Donald’s Decision, and All Together. Also included in the agreement was a training film called Stop That Tank!, which taught Canadian soldiers how to use an antitank rifle. Disney Animators were also called on for promotional material, including the design of the cover of a war savings stamp folder.
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