Celebrating Excellence: The Legacy of Lanny Smoot ’73

May 14, 2024

Brooklyn Technical High School has a rich tradition of producing exceptional graduates who go on to make significant contributions in their respective fields. Among these distinguished alumni is Lanny Smoot, a member of the Class of 1973. On May 9, 2024, Smoot, a Disney Research Fellow with 106 patents to his name, became the first Imagineer — and second at Disney after Disney himself — to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

The Early Years

Smoot's educational journey took off at Brooklyn Tech, where he was able to hone his skills and budding interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Known for his keen intellect and innovative thinking, Lanny excelled academically and distinguished himself among his peers.

Then one afternoon in 1972 at Tech, the principal’s voice came over the PA system, reverberating through the whole building: Lanny Smoot, please report to the principal’s office!

When Smoot got there, he saw an unusual scene.

“There was a guy — an African American guy — wagging his finger at the principal, really bawling him out,” said Smoot, a high school junior and Electrical Engineering major at the time.

When the man noticed Smoot, he shifted his attention.

“Lanny! Where have you been?”

The man, Jim Stewart, was a recruiter for Bell Laboratories’ scholarship program, and he wanted to know why Smoot hadn’t shown up at any of their information sessions.

“I wound up having a scholarship to Columbia and a summer job at Bell Labs,” Smoot said. “They also sent me back to Columbia to get my master’s degree in electrical engineering.”

It was the beginning of a storied career. After graduating from Columbia Engineering in 1977 with a BS and in 1978 with an MS — both in electrical engineering — Smoot would go on to serve as an executive director at Bell Labs and join the Walt Disney Company as an Imagineer.

Professional Achievements

At Bell Labs, Smoot invented some of the first fiber-optic transmission technologies to be widely used in the Bell Telephone system. Later, he moved to Bellcore, founded following the breakup of the Bell System, where he became the company’s patent leader and a Bellcore Fellow, the company’s highest technical honor. There he invented the first high-quality, large-screen video teleconferencing system, the “VideoWindow,” which ultimately was showcased at the Smithsonian Institution’s “Information Age” exhibit. Smoot also holds patents on some of the first video streaming systems. One of his many inventions at Bellcore was the “Electronic Panning Camera” prototype, which allowed an unlimited number of users to control their individual views of a remotely televised site..

In 1998, Smoot was approached by Disney representatives who had taken an interest in this camera, and he accepted their offer to manage the company’s research arm on Long Island, New York. He later moved to California when the research group relocated.

Smoot has since become Disney’s most prolific inventor. He has developed forward-thinking technologies that allow the company, and the theatrical community at large, to create cutting-edge experiences, illusions and entertainment.

Among Smoot’s many Disney innovations is the “Where’s the Fire?” attraction, which was at EPCOT from 2004 through 2014. By aiming “X-ray flashlights” at the walls of life-sized model rooms, guests saw wall surfaces “melt” away to reveal safety hazards, learning how to make their own homes safer. Smoot also holds patents on many other interactive systems including the “Interactive Koi Ponds” at the Crystal Lotus Restaurant at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the Power City interactive attraction at EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth.

To encourage repeat visits, Smoot helped develop technologies for some of the first interactive scavenger hunts at Disney Parks, including “Kim Possible: World Showcase Adventure” at EPCOT and “Fortress Explorations” at Tokyo DisneySea. For Disney Cruise Line, Smoot helped create the interactive, multi-paneled floor surfaces that magically respond to children’s movements.

More recently, Smoot and his team have patented the realistic, extendable and retractable lightsaber that was used in the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” multi-day, immersive experience. In a separate patented invention, he created an entire interactive lightsaber experience, also at “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser,” that enabled guests to battle a training droid and deflect laser blasts like those seen in the “Star Wars” movies.

The recipient of three Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), Smoot was named a TEA Master in 2020. He is a Disney Research Fellow, the highest technical honor at the company, and in 2021, he earned his 100th career patent — a first for anyone at Disney.

Looking toward the future, Smoot plans to keep inventing, and he supports greater diversity and collaboration among innovators. “I chose technology myself, but I believe that every person has a special talent, sometimes multiple talents, and I would love to see a world that exposes more life choices to all people so that their natural talents can bloom.”

Full Circle

At Brooklyn Tech’s 2023 commencement at Barclays Center — 50 years after his own graduation — Smoot came full circle as the keynote speaker at his alma mater.

Smoot's legacy as a Brooklyn Tech alum serves as an inspiration to current and future generations of students. His dedication to excellence, innovation, and service exemplifies the values instilled at Brooklyn Tech and demonstrates the transformative impact of a Brooklyn Tech education. As we celebrate Lanny's achievements, we are reminded of the profound influence that Brooklyn Tech alumni continue to have on the world.

Read More about Lanny Smoot '73:

National Inventors Hall of Fame

USA Today

Receiving a degree from this school sets you apart from graduates of every high school in this country. You should always remember that. You have a unique pedigree which will distinguish you for the rest of your lives.