Purely History on Instagram: "Tom and Jerry is one of the most famous animated series ever created. It was first released by MGM in 1940, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The show centers on the endless rivalry between Tom, a house cat, and Jerry, a clever little mouse. Episodes usually revolve around Tom trying elaborate schemes to catch Jerry, only for them to backfire in chaotic and comedic ways. The original shorts ran until the late 1950s and won multiple Academy Awards for Best