Career Timeline of Dr. Seuss: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Dr. Seuss, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Theodor Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, was a prolific American children's author and cartoonist. He wrote and illustrated over 60 books, achieving immense popularity and selling over 600 million copies worldwide, translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death. His works are staples of children's literature.
February 1927: Returned to the United States
In February 1927, Geisel returned to the United States without earning a degree and began submitting his work to various publications.
July 16, 1927: First Nationally Published Cartoon
On July 16, 1927, Geisel's first nationally published cartoon appeared in The Saturday Evening Post.
October 22, 1927: First Cartoon for Judge
On October 22, 1927, Geisel's first cartoon for Judge was published.
1927: Left Oxford and Began Career
In 1927, Geisel left Oxford University and began his career as an illustrator and cartoonist for various publications, including Vanity Fair and Life.
May 31, 1928: First Flit Ad Appeared
On May 31, 1928, Geisel's first Flit ad appeared, marking the beginning of a successful advertising campaign.
1931: Published "Boners"
In 1931, Geisel's first foray into books, "Boners", was published and topped The New York Times non-fiction bestseller list.
1936: Inspired to write first children's book
In 1936, while returning from a voyage to Europe, the rhythm of the ship inspired Geisel to write "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street."
1937: Publication of And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
In 1937, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1937: Published First Children's Book
In 1937, Geisel published his first children's book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street".
1941: End of Flit Advertising Campaign
In 1941, the Flit advertising campaign, which Geisel had been a part of, ended.
1942: Supported US War Effort
In 1942, Geisel began supporting the U.S. war effort by drawing posters for the Treasury Department and the War Production Board.
1942: Animated Short Film of Horton Hatches the Egg
In 1942, the first adaptation of one of Geisel's works was an animated short film based on Horton Hatches the Egg.
1943: Joined the Army
In 1943, Geisel joined the Army and commanded the Animation Department of the First Motion Picture Unit of the United States Army Air Forces.
1943: Release of The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (Puppetoons)
In 1943, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins was released as a stop-motion film and was nominated for an Academy Award.
1944: Release of And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street (Puppetoons)
In 1944, And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street was released as a stop-motion film and was nominated for an Academy Award.
1947: Publication of McElligot's Pool
In 1947, "McElligot's Pool" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1950: Publication of If I Ran the Zoo
In 1950, "If I Ran the Zoo" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1951: Release of Gerald McBoing-Boing Cartoon
In 1951, Geisel's cartoon Gerald McBoing-Boing was released
1953: Publication of Scrambled Eggs Super!
In 1953, "Scrambled Eggs Super!" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1954: Horton Hears a Who! as Allegory
In 1954, Geisel used his book Horton Hears a Who! as an allegory for the American post-war occupation of Japan.
1954: Publication of Horton Hears a Who!
In 1954, Horton Hears a Who! was published, expressing Geisel's views on anti-isolationism and internationalism.
1955: Publication of On Beyond Zebra!
In 1955, "On Beyond Zebra!" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1956: Premiere of Gerald McBoing-Boing TV series
In 1956, Gerald McBoing-Boing, an animated television adaptation of Geisel's 1951 cartoon of the same name, premiered.
1957: End of Gerald McBoing-Boing TV series
In 1957, Gerald McBoing-Boing, an animated television adaptation of Geisel's 1951 cartoon of the same name, ended
1957: Publication of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
In 1957, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was published, criticizing the economic materialism and consumerism of the Christmas season.
1958: Publication of Yertle the Turtle
In 1958, Yertle the Turtle was published, expressing Geisel's views on Adolf Hitler and anti-authoritarianism.
1961: Publication of The Sneetches
In 1961, The Sneetches was published, expressing Geisel's views on racial equality.
1965: Theo LeSieg Pen Name Debut
In 1965, Geisel began using the pen name "Theo LeSieg" with the publication of "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet."
1966: Authorization of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Cartoon
In 1966, Geisel authorized Chuck Jones to make a cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, narrated by Boris Karloff.
1970: Adaptation of Horton Hears a Who!
In 1970, Chuck Jones directed an adaptation of Horton Hears a Who!
1971: Adaptation of The Cat in the Hat
In 1971, Chuck Jones produced an adaptation of The Cat in the Hat.
1972: Marvin K. Mooney converted to Watergate Polemic
In 1972, Geisel converted Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! into a polemic about Nixon.
1972: Release of The Lorax Animated Special
In 1972, The Lorax animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1973: Release of Dr. Seuss on the Loose Animated Special
In 1973, Dr. Seuss on the Loose animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1973: My Many Colored Days Written
In 1973, My Many Colored Days was written.
1974: Marvin K. Mooney converted to Watergate Polemic
In 1974, Geisel converted Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! into a polemic about Nixon.
1975: Publication under Rosetta Stone Name
In 1975, Geisel published "Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo!!" under the name Rosetta Stone, in collaboration with Michael K. Frith.
1975: Release of The Hoober-Bloob Highway Animated Special
In 1975, The Hoober-Bloob Highway animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1976: Publication of The Cat's Quizzer
In 1976, "The Cat's Quizzer" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1977: Release of Halloween Is Grinch Night Animated Special
In 1977, Halloween Is Grinch Night animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1980: Release of Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? Animated Special
In 1980, Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1982: Release of The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat Animated Special
In 1982, The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1983: End of DePatie-Freleng Animated Specials
In 1983, the series of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng came to an end.
1986: Release of Welcome (Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose adaptation)
In 1986, a Soviet paint-on-glass-animated short film was made called Welcome, an adaptation of Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose.
1994: Release of In Search of Dr. Seuss
In 1994, the television film In Search of Dr. Seuss was released, adapting many of Seuss's stories.
1996: My Many Colored Days Published Posthumously
In 1996, My Many Colored Days, originally written in 1973, was posthumously published.
1996: Premiere of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
In 1996, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, a mix of live-action and puppetry, aired on Nickelodeon.
1998: End of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
In 1998, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, a mix of live-action and puppetry, ended on Nickelodeon.
2000: Premieres of Live-Action Grinch Film and Seussical
In 2000, the live-action feature-film version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey, and the Seuss-themed Broadway musical called Seussical both premiered.
2003: Release of The Cat in the Hat Live-Action Film
In 2003, a live-action film adaptation of The Cat in the Hat was released, featuring Mike Myers as the title character.
2005: Premiere of Gerald McBoing-Boing Remake
In 2005, Gerald McBoing-Boing, a remake of the 1956 series, began airing.
2007: End of Gerald McBoing-Boing Remake
In 2007, Gerald McBoing-Boing, a remake of the 1956 series, ended airing.
March 14, 2008: Release of Horton Hears a Who! CGI film
On March 14, 2008, the first animated CGI feature film adaptation of Horton Hears a Who! was released to positive reviews.
September 6, 2010: Premiere of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (United States)
On September 6, 2010, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! premiered in the United States.
September 2011: Release of The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories
In September 2011, seven stories originally published in magazines during the 1950s were released in a collection titled The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories.
March 2, 2012: Release of The Lorax CGI film
On March 2, 2012, The Lorax CGI film adaptation was released by Universal on what would have been Seuss's 108th birthday.
November 9, 2018: Release of The Grinch CGI film
On November 9, 2018, The Grinch, a CGI-animated feature film, was released by Universal.
2018: Ongoing Production of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
As of 2018, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is producing new episodes.
November 8, 2019: Premiere of Green Eggs and Ham on Netflix
On November 8, 2019, Green Eggs and Ham, an animated streaming television adaptation of Geisel's 1960 book of the same title, premiered on Netflix.
2022: Premiere of Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving
In 2022, Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving premiered.
