Imagineer Lanny Smoot Receives 100th US Patent
Lanny Smoot, a Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development Imagineer, and Disney Research Fellow has just received his 100th US patent- an absolute landslide of a milestone.
This achievement is a first for the Walt Disney Company and is a huge accomplishment that not many inventors manage.
In fact, according to Disney patent attorney, Stuart Langley, this achievement makes Smoot “one of the most prolific Black inventors in American history.”.
Smoot’s career with Walt Disney Company has spanned 22 years, with 74 of his patents gained in those two decades.
Smoot’s expertise lays in special effects and lighting, with his current work being seen at The Haunted Mansion in the form of the portrait gallery that guests ride through, and Madame Leota’s floating ball.
His work can also be seen in the lightsabers at Star Wars Launch Bay in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and “Power City” at Project Tomorrow at the end of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT.
His work doesn’t stop there, however, with his work enjoyed across the globe, including Hong Kong Disneyland in the form of an interactive koi pond, and Fortress Explorations- an interactive adventure at Tokyo Disney Sea.
Not only this but many of his inventions have yet to be seen to guests, including a new lightsaber training experience, and a state-of-the-art lightsaber. Both of which will be featured onboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser!
We applaud you, Lanny, for this enormous achievement and thank you for your work in making magic for guests every day. We can’t wait to see what you come up with next!