Lanny Smoot, a Disney Research Fellow and longtime member of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He is the first Disney Imagineer to receive this prestigious recognition and only the second individual from The Walt Disney Company to be inducted—the first being Walt Disney, honored posthumously in 2000 for the multiplane camera. Smoot and his fellow Class of 2024 inductees will be formally honored in Washington, DC, on Thursday, May 9.
Upon learning of his induction, Smoot said, “I’m honored and humbled to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Of all the great inventors, though, I got a real lump in my throat when I found out I am only the second person from The Walt Disney Company to be presented with this award, the first person being Walt Disney himself.
For nearly three decades, Smoot has continued to push the boundaries of technology to bring to life breathtaking, one-of-a-kind experiences for Disney guests around the world. Throughout his distinguished career, he has worked as a theater technology creator, inventor, electrical engineer, scientist, and researcher, resulting in more than 100 patents—a remarkable feat that makes Smoot one of most prolific Black inventor in American history, base. of patents issued, according to Disney patent attorney Stuart Langley. Of that total, 74 of his patents were created during his 25 years at The Walt Disney Company.
“At Disney Experiences, we are committed to world-class storytelling, creativity, and innovation in everything we do, and Lanny Smoot embodies each of those values,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “As Disney’s most prolific inventor, Lanny continues to amaze everyone with his artistic creativity, technical skill, and endless imagination.”
Among his many accomplishments, Smoot is credited with giving Madame Leota his ability to “float” in the Séance Room of Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park; creating the state-of-the-art extendable lightsaber used in Disney Live Entertainment; inventing Disney Cruise Line’s Magic Playfloor interactive play experience; take on the immersive Fortress Explorations adventure at Tokyo DisneySea; and designing a virtual and interactive koi pond at the Crystal Lotus Restaurant at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
When deciding which of his patents to promote as part of his National Inventors Hall of Fame induction, Smoot chose “Where’s the Fire?” on Innovations, previously shown at EPCOT. This interactive exhibit highlights fire prevention through challenges; Visitors “shine” a special flashlight on the walls of a house and, through the magic of its technology, uncover hidden fire hazards and learn how to prevent them from happening.
Smoot has received numerous awards and honors, including three Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) for his work on attractions. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Be Kim: World Showcase Adventureas well as the Ghost Post limited-time experience inspired by Haunted Mansion. In 2020, Smoot’s expertise in theater technology earned him the esteemed title of TEA Master.
Smoot’s pioneering inventions also empowered the theater community to create new entertainment, illusion, and magic. He is currently working on the HoloTile floor, the world’s first multi-person, omni-directional, modular, expandable, treadmill floor. It allows any number of people to have a shared virtual reality (VR) experience, walk an infinite distance in any direction, and never bump into or walk off of it. The HoloTile floor can also be an insert in a theater stage, allowing the performers to move and dance in new ways, or the stage props and structures to move around or show their self
Before joining Disney, Smoot completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at Columbia University. Before Disney, he worked at Bell Laboratories, followed by Bell Communications Research. While at Bell, he received patents for his role in the early development of video-on-demand technology, video conferencing, and more.
