Despite the name, Hanna Barbera was not the name of a character on a 1990's Disney show, nor was it a female wrestler from the 1920's - in fact Hanna-Barbera is the name of the company founded by two cartoonists, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera, who made many of the cartoons that Americans grew up on in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. 

Scooby Doo? Yes. The Flinstones? Check. The Jetsons? Of course. Even the Smurfs! And there were many, many other cartoons that are still popular with children and adults today. 

But who were these two men behind some of the biggest cartoons on television? 
William Denby Hanna was an American animator, voice actor, and occasional musician. Joseph Roland Barbera was an Italian American, amateur boxer and talented artist. Together, they are best known for co-creating Tom and Jerry among many other cartoons that became staples of Saturday mornings for many children.

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