Smoot, Lanny
1956- · Contribution: 1990s-present
Immersive entertainment technology, robotics, special effects for theme parks
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Impact on the world
As a Disney Imagineer, his innovations in robotics and special effects technology have shaped modern theme park attractions and immersive storytelling experiences worldwide.
Life & background
A Disney Imagineer and National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee, Smoot holds more than 100 patents spanning robotics, holographic projection, and special-effects systems used to create immersive entertainment experiences at theme parks and beyond.
Sources
- Black Inventors Hall of Fame; National Inventors Hall of Fame (2024 inductee); U.S. patent record; The Walt Disney Company
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