Imagineer Lanny Smoot Reflects on His National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction
Legendary inventor and Walt Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame last week, becoming only the second Disney Imagineer to ever be inducted into the hallowed institution. The first was Walt Disney himself, who was honored posthumously in 2000 for his invention of the multiplane camera.
Reflecting on the honor, Smoot could not help but think of the great inventors that came before him.
![Lanny Smoot Hall of Fame](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-18-at-10-46-40-wdi-inventors-hall-of-fame-lanny-smoot-20494094920-768x513.jpg-JPEG-Image-768-×-513-pixels-e1705598447610.png)
![Lanny Smoot Hall of Fame](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-18-at-10-46-40-wdi-inventors-hall-of-fame-lanny-smoot-20494094920-768x513.jpg-JPEG-Image-768-×-513-pixels-e1705598447610.png)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
“I am proud and excited, and at the same time humbled, because this amazing honor has also been bestowed upon the likes of Thomas Edison,” Smoot says. “Bringing it a little closer to home, it was also given to personal heroes of mine, like Jim West, inventor of the electret microphone that we all carry in our cell phones and laptops—and, bringing it even closer, to Walt Disney himself, whose vision is still the guiding light for all of my colleagues at The Walt Disney Company.”
Highlights of the Evening
Smoot called the induction a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Among the standout moments, he says, “was to walk across the stage and have the (very heavy) medal bestowed upon me, topping off the event and making it ‘real’ in some ways.”
![Imagineer Larry Smoot](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ctls4846856812.jpg)
![Imagineer Larry Smoot](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ctls4846856812.jpg)
Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog
When choosing what patent to list during his National Investors Hall of Fame induction, Smoot selected one that was utilized in the former Innovations exhibit “Where’s the Fire?” at EPCOT. The exhibit entertained guests and educated them on the importance of fire safety for nearly 10 years.
![Where's the Fire](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Wheres-the-Fire-1024x576.jpg)
![Where's the Fire](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Wheres-the-Fire-1024x576.jpg)
Photo: Compass West
“‘Where’s the Fire?’… was almost completely based on this single patent, which demonstrates the power of invention!” Smoot explains. “The interactive attraction allowed guests and families to use ‘X-Ray flashlights’ to see through the walls of faux homes, and to root out safety hazards. It was, of course, entertaining for our guests, but it also contributed towards them having safer lives. The combination of Disney entertainment, and the novel use of cutting-edge technology is always a part of the ‘Disney difference.’”
An Amazing Career
Over his illustrious career, Smoot has patented over 106 different inventions, 74 of which were created during his time with Disney.
Smoot has also won numerous awards and honors, including three Thewa Wards from the Theme Entertainment Association (TEA). He even earned the title of TEA Master in 2000.
![Imagineer Larry Smoot](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hyu37t6ruyh23y8t79o1.jpg)
![Imagineer Larry Smoot](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hyu37t6ruyh23y8t79o1.jpg)
Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog
From the state-of-the-art extendable lightsaber used by Disney Live Entertainment to the Magic Playfloor on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, Smoot has made some of Disney’s most magical moments happen.
“One of the mottos of the Imagineers is, ‘We make the magic!’ We continuously use our imagination, and our technical skills in service of creating the entertaining, exciting, and often educating attractions that our guests enjoy,” Smoot says. “Before coming to Imagineering, I enjoyed a successful career in telecom research [at Bell Labs and later Bellcore in New Jersey], and I valued the freedom to create based on my continuing curiosity about what technology can do. Imagineering turbocharges that type of freedom and gave me an even wider canvas for my technical skills. Being a Fellow recognizes that I have made significant contributions to the Imagineering mission, and that I am trusted to continue in that crusade. Having the title means, ‘Keep doing what you are doing! We trust you that it will be good!’”
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ctls4846856811-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ctls4846856811-1024x576.jpg)
Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog
The Best Is Yet To Come
Despite all he has accomplished, Smoot is always working on the next invention. Currently, the inventor is working with Disney Imagineers on the HoloTile Floor- the world’s ” first, and only, multi-person, omni-directional, modular, expandable treadmill floor.”
“Its ability to move an unlimited number of people or objects on its surface in any direction, enables whole new applications,” Smoot says. “For instance, multiple persons in virtual reality headsets can stroll through real or fantastical locations, all in a physically small space, without bumping into each other or walking off the Floor. The HoloTile Floor could also be embedded in theatrical stages to allow performers to dance in ways that would elude the most talented performers standing on an ordinary stage. It can also be used as a design tool, to allow Imagineers to walk through their creations before they are even built.”
Luckily for both Disney and its fans, Smoot says he is just getting started.
“I love getting the ‘How do they do that?’ reactions from our theme park guests, and I remain curious about how far we can take technology in service of entertainment, so I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing,” he says. “Next project!”