230: Imagineering the Future: Disney Innovation and Space Exploration

Casual Space

This week, in our ongoing summer series, “Summer-ease,” we meet at the intersection of innovation, Disney, and space exploration. Our returning and always insightful guest (and Disney insider), Hannah Stanley, joins us to discuss Disney's innovative culture and its profound influence on space-related endeavors.

Why Disney? Disney shares the same pioneering spirit as our nation’s space industry. Like NASA, Disney’s culture from the very beginning has encouraged the application of innovative ideas, leaving unforgettable imprints on various industries, from animation to theme parks and environmental initiatives. We delve into the visionary ideas of Walt Disney, such as the futuristic EPCOT, and the groundbreaking technological innovations that have propelled Disney's unparalleled success. Did you know that Wernher von Braun served as a spokesman for three Walt Disney television programs on space travel, Man in Space?

WATCH: How Disney Built America on the History Channel

https://www.history.com/shows/how-disney-built-america

“How Disney Built America” is a nostalgia-filled ride that paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the history-making empire he and his brother Roy Disney built. Each hour-long episode focuses on a different example of game-changing brilliance in Disney’s history, including creating the world’s most recognizable characters, establishing the animated features industry, revolutionizing the concept of merchandising, and using groundbreaking design and engineering to construct Disneyland, Walt Disney World® Resort, and beyond. Viewers will hear from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, a direct hire from Walt who developed over 100 designs for Disney theme park attractions, to gain surprising insights into the unique innovations and struggles involved in realizing the dreams of a visionary.

WATCH: Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot describes the HoloTile (we mention in this episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyc33U6f8rk

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share an innovation you are inspired by, I’d love to hear it! Please share it in the socials,

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*Don't forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com