William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the founders of Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1957, were influential American animators known for their work at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), where they created the Tom and Jerry series. After forming their own studio, they produced numerous successful TV cartoons, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo. Despite criticism for using cost-effective animation techniques, they were celebrated for their high-quality writing and impact on television animation.