The Disney community mourns the passing of Don Iwerks, a true pioneer who passed away on July 9 at the age of 96. As the son of legendary animator Ub Iwerks, Don built a remarkable 35-year legacy at Walt Disney Productions. He began his career as a lab technician in 1950 and later served in the Korean War before joining the Studio Machine Shop. His engineering genius revolutionized how guests experience Disney movies and theme parks through innovative camera systems and projection technology. Don developed the revolutionary Circle-Vision camera system used for classic attractions like America the Beautiful at Disneyland. He also created unique projection systems for Star Tours and specialized cameras that blended live-action and animation in Mary Poppins. His contributions earned him the Gordon E. Sawyer Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1997. After retiring, he co-founded Iwerks Entertainment to continue pushing boundaries in giant-screen and 3D theater experiences. The family receives condolences during this difficult time as Don’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of innovators.
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