9 days ago
- Disney Legend Don Iwerks passed away on July 9 at age 96, recognized for his pioneering work in camera, projection, and technical systems for Disney parks and films.
- He began his Disney career in 1950, following his father Ub Iwerks, and worked on major projects like '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' and led key technical departments.
- Key achievements include developing the 360-degree Circle-Vision camera, contributing to attractions like Circarama, U.S.A., and films such as 'America the Beautiful'.
- He also innovated equipment for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, engineered 3-D effects for 'Captain EO', and built the projection system for Star Tours.
- Iwerks aided in the sodium vapor process for 'Mary Poppins', helping create its iconic sequences, and cited work on EPCOT and the World's Fair as career-defining.
- Honors include the Gordon E. Sawyer Award in 1997, Disney Legend status in 2009, and a window on Main Street, U.S.A., shared with his father.
- After 35 years at Disney, he founded Iwerks Entertainment in 1986, later acquired in 2001, and credited Walt Disney and his father for his success ethos.
- The Iwerks family, including his daughter Leslie, has significantly shaped Disney's legacy across generations, with Don survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.