How George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic paved the way for 'Toy Story'

SAN FRANCISCO-When you tour Industrial Light and Magic, the groundbreaking, cutting-edge special effects company, founded in 1975 by George Lucas, that has done the effects for countless Hollywood blockbusters-you will find a little piece of nondescript art to go with recognizable effects featuring Yoda and Roger Rabbit.

That piece of art reminds everyone that Lucas, in addition to bringing the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universes to life, is also responsible for us enjoying Buzz Lightyear, Dory and The Incredibles as well.

You see, what we now know as Pixar Animation Studios was once a division of Lucasfilm.

Way back in the 1970's and early '80s, it was known as the Graphics Group, part of the Lucasfilm computer division.

A young John Lasseter, who would go on to direct the Toy Story and Cars film franchises, had arrived at the Graphics Group fresh from Disney, where he had worked as an animator.

They would make a short film called "The Adventures of Andre and Wally B" in 1984, eleven years before Toy Story was released.

Just a couple of years later, George Lucas would sell Graphics Group to Steve Jobs-and it, of course, became Pixar.

But it all goes back to Lucasfilm and George Lucas's incredible innovative mind.