Alternative histories provide us with a cautionary look at what could have been. There's a reason why this kind of story is told over and over again throughout the 20th century. We love glimpsing into some parallel universe that offers us some insight into what happens in our real world. That's why authors like H.G. Wells, Philip K. Dick, and Philip Roth have returned to this well of "What If?" 

One tiny decision or action could change the course of everything, and it's fun to look at how things may have turned out. In the world of animation, we nearly had an alternate timeline wherein Mickey Mouse and Jerry Mouse were cousins. 

Joseph Barbera is a fourteen-time Academy Award-nominated animator, director, and producer. Along with his partner William Hanna, Barbera helped create some of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time. Among his memorable animated inventions were the Flintstone family, Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear, and Tom & Jerry.

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It took Joseph Barbera eight weeks of grueling daily pitches to sell The Flintstones

Hanna-Barbera defined several generations of cartoon history, but according to the 2006 book Who's Who in Animated Cartoons, Barbera almost traded that all in before it happened. 

All the way back in 1932, Barbera secured his first job animating at New York's Van Beuren Studios. The pay was a measly $15 a week. But Barbera had bigger plans and quickly maneuvered to move up the industry ladder. He soon contacted Walt Disney about possible employment. Barbera wrote a letter asking if there were any openings at Disney's studio. Walt himself responded saying that he would interview Barbera the next time Disney was in New York. 

But despite the promising correspondence, Disney never followed through on the offer. 

While it may have been crushing at the time, the miscommunication was hugely beneficial to Barbera's career and to the history of cartoons. Because instead of going to work for Disney, Barbera was able to continue to bet big on himself, eventually running a studio that competed directly with his former potential employer. 

"I probably would have become a devoted member of his staff," said Barbera, "and [I'd] still be with Disney studios today."

While it's interesting to consider Barbera's skillset being put to use at Disney, our present timeline is all the better for each of the creations he brought to light under Hanna-Barbera Studios. 

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