Ed Catmull

American computer scientist and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios — who invented computer graphics algorithms (Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces, texture mapping) and led Pixar and later Disney Animation to produce 20+ consecutive critically and commercially successful films through a distinctive creative culture.

Invented the management system for sustained creative excellence — Creativity Inc.'s account of Pixar's Braintrust (candid peer review of films in progress), the postmortem culture, and the management of the tension between creative freedom and commercial pressure became the most influential account of managing creative organizations.