Which animation technique is strongly associated with the earliest Disney characters, including the rubber hose animation style?

The technique that is strongly associated with the earliest Disney characters, particularly the rubber hose animation style, is traditional hand-drawn animation. This method involves creating images frame by frame, using a sequence of hand-drawn illustrations to simulate movement. The rubber hose style refers to the flexible, bendable limbs often depicted in animation of that era, allowing characters to express a wide range of emotions and actions with exaggerated movements.

This style was pivotal in the development of early Disney animations, as it helped establish the unique charm and fluidity that became a hallmark of Disney's storytelling. Traditional hand-drawn animation laid the foundation for character design and visual storytelling techniques that would influence the industry for decades to come. It is essential to recognize how this method contributed to the distinctive aesthetic and personality of characters like Mickey Mouse and others during the early 20th century in animation history.