Remembering Disney Legend Don Iwerks

8 hours 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.

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