Disney Innovator Lanny Smoot to Deliver Keynote at SIGGRAPH 2026
Inventing the Future: Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot to Headline SIGGRAPH 2026
Image: Benzinga
Lanny Smoot, a Disney Research Fellow and National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee, will headline SIGGRAPH 2026 from July 19-23 in Los Angeles. His keynote, titled 'Inventions, Innovations, and Imagination,' will explore his career at the intersection of engineering and storytelling, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in innovation.
- 01Lanny Smoot holds 107 patents and is the second Disney employee to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
- 02His notable inventions include the HoloTile™ Floor and the interactive training experience for the extendable lightsaber at Walt Disney World.
- 03Smoot emphasizes that invention is a team sport, requiring cross-disciplinary collaboration among engineers, artists, and storytellers.
- 04He has received the Thea Award three times and is recognized for his commitment to mentoring young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
- 05Smoot's keynote aims to inspire attendees by illustrating how collaborative efforts can lead to significant breakthroughs in technology and storytelling.
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Lanny Smoot, a prominent Disney Research Fellow and inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, will deliver a keynote address at SIGGRAPH 2026, scheduled for July 19-23 in Los Angeles. His talk, titled 'Inventions, Innovations, and Imagination: Lanny Smoot's Prolific Path,' will provide insights into his extensive career that blends engineering, art, and storytelling. With 107 patents to his name, Smoot has made significant contributions to fiber optics, immersive media, and themed entertainment, impacting Disney parks worldwide. Notably, he is recognized for innovations such as the HoloTile™ Floor and the interactive training experience for the extendable lightsaber at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Smoot's philosophy centers on the belief that invention thrives through teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration, a theme he will emphasize during his keynote. He encourages both young and experienced professionals to embrace the joy of invention and the importance of collaboration in the creative process. The SIGGRAPH conference aims to advance the field of computer graphics and inspire future innovations, aligning with Smoot's vision for the industry.
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Smoot's keynote and the SIGGRAPH conference will foster innovation in computer graphics and interactive techniques, benefiting professionals and students in the field.
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