The company’s founder used his TV show to celebrate scientific discovery — something we could use right now.
One quote I hear time and again from the people who design Disney’s theme parks and attractions came from British author and futurist Arthur C. Clarke, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
It’s telling that so many Imagineers like to repeat this quote, because it truly reveals the secret behind the so-called “Disney Magic” that has helped the company become an entertainment juggernaut — that “magic” is built upon a whole bunch of advanced technology.
Yes, Imagineers also are fond of saying that “it all begins with story,” but storytelling without technology is just a person talking. It’s the tech that makes stories come alive on screen and in theme parks for millions of Disney’s fans. From multi-plane cameras to 360-degree filmmaking to innovative new ride systems, Disney has established a tradition of finding new techniques and technology to advance its stories.
Disney’s history with high tech begins with Walt himself, who surrounded himself with tech geeks who loved to hack new stuff for the company to use in its storytelling.
