Felix the Cat: He was there first. So, you know, he wins.

In explaining our love for Felix the Cat, the first thing to be done is to demonstrate the whys and wherefores.  Through the clever use of youtubery.  Without further ado, a classic Felix cartoon:  Felix Woos Whoopee.  Animated in 1928, it's both simple and masterful in its use of (what are now) timeless animation elements.  See for yourself.