The Flintstones was a Hanna-Barbera Production that originally aired on ABC-TV in prime time from 1960-1966. It was network television’s first animated series to which there were 166 original episodes.

The original name of the series in which a pilot was even made, was ‘The Flagstones’. When it was realised that the ‘Hi and Lois’ characters’ surname was Flagston, the name was changed. The name ‘Gladstones’ was considered and actually appeared on a number of sketches before the final change to ‘Flintstones’.

The Flintstones was the first, and the longest running, animated situation comedy shown in prime-time television. Premiering on ABC on September 30 1960, it gained high ratings in its first season, thus establishing animation as a viable prime time format.

Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their best friends, Barney and Betty Rubble, lived in the prehistoric city of Bedrock but face the problems of contemporary working-class life. After a day at the rock quarry, Fred and Barney arrived home in a vehicle with stone wheels and a fringe on top. Their lives revolved around their home, friends, and leisure activities: a world of drive-ins, bowling, and their ‘Water Buffalo’ lodge. A baby dinosaur and a saber tooth tiger replaced the family dog and cat. In 1962 and 1963, Pebbles and Bamm Bamm appeared as the daughter and adopted son of the Flintstones and Rubbles respectively.

The original opening sequence features Fred driving home from work, racing through the streets of Bedrock. Upon arriving home he runs his car into the garage, then goes in the house to sit down and watch TV.

In the original closing sequence, Fred turns off the TV set, covers the birdcage, and attempts to put the cat out, which puts Fred out instead. These sequences were only used for the first two seasons and many people have never seen them, because the later, more familiar opening and closing themes were usually used for all episodes during syndication.

Aside from being the first animated series made for prime time, The Flintstones also broke new ground in that each episode contained only one story that lasted the full half hour.

The Flintstones helped establish Hanna-Barbera Productions as a major Hollywood animation studio and by the late 1960s as the world’s largest producer of animated entertainment films. The Flintstones also launched a multi-million dollar merchandising business with hundreds of

toys and novelties placed on the market.

Perhaps the most enduring product developed in this ancillary line was Flintstones vitamins, also used as a sponsor for the program. Citing the difficulties children might have in distinguishing cartoon characters from the products made in their likenesses, critics attacked the practice of advertising vitamins to children, and such ads were withdrawn in 1972.