NEWS: Two Disney attraction engineers to be honored at “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation.”

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The Walt Disney Company and Disney Imagineers have continually pushed the boundaries of innovation and invention since their inception.

“it’s a small world” in Disneyland

Disneyland was the pioneering theme park where both young and old could enjoy a magical experience. The company's groundbreaking attractions, like the Matterhorn Bobsleds, set new standards, and now, two designers of this iconic ride are set to be honored in a Hall of Fame!

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When it launched on June 14, 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds was not only the first roller coaster in Disneyland but also the first tubular steel coaster worldwide! Designers Karl Bacon and Ed Morgan, posthumous inductees into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, brought this revolutionary design to life.

[IMG] Matterhorn Bobsleds

Working with Arrow Development, Disney’s partners in creating numerous attractions, Bacon and Morgan masterminded the tubular steel track, a design that reshaped roller coaster technology forever. Bacon lived until 2008, passing at 98, while Morgan passed in 2009 at 93.

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Faced with the challenge of building two intertwining 80-foot-high tracks for the coaster, they bypassed conventional iron tracks in favor of customizable tubular steel tracks — a creative breakthrough!

[IMG] Matterhorn

Walt Disney’s fascination with the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, discovered while filming Third Man on the Mountain, inspired the creation of a 147-foot-tall replica in Disneyland. He wanted people to feel as though they were bobsledding down icy slopes.

[IMG] Matterhorn Bobsleds

This year, 17 "innovation pioneers," spanning fields from cancer research to satellite tech, will be celebrated at the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The 2025 induction will be held on May 8th in Washington, D.C. Kudos to all those being recognized!

Keep up with DFB for more updates on Disney!

What’s your go-to ride at Disneyland? We’d love to hear from you!

The post NEWS: 2 Engineers Behind an Iconic Disney Attraction Will Be Honored at “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation” first appeared on the Disney Food Blog.
 
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