Get the latest gossip

Lanny Smoot, Disney inventor behind live-action lightsaber, to be inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

Lanny Smoot has been an inventor for as long as he can remember. One of his fondest childhood memories was the day his dad brought home batteries, a bell and wire.

He told CNN one of his fondest childhood memories was the day his dad brought home a light, batteries, a bell and wire. The Disney research fellow and imagineer has amassed 106 patents and counting, and his prolificacy and impact in the theatrical technologies and special effects field have earned him an induction into the 2024 National Inventors Hall of Fame. For now, Smoot refuses to entertain discussions about retiring – he pretended his Zoom audio broke up when CNN raised the subject.

Get the Android app