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A tale of imagination, invention and real-life magic! Lanny Smoot is an Imagineer and electrical engineer with more than 100 patented inventions for Disney theme parks. He’s the mind behind the real-life lightsaber and a floor that makes you feel like you’re moving through other worlds. His inventive spirit started early, inspired by his father and a fascination with the lightbulb.
Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/lanny-smoot/
A tale of imagination, invention and real-life magic! Lanny Smoot is an Imagineer and electrical engineer with more than 100 patented inventions for Disney theme parks. He’s the mind behind the real-life lightsaber and a floor that makes you feel like you’re moving through other worlds. His inventive spirit started early, inspired by his father and a fascination with the lightbulb. He went from building his own unicycle as a kid to being honored in the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work with Disney. Lanny brings joy to millions and his journey lights the way for future inventors.
Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/lanny-smoot/
Get a free activity guide on Lanny Smoot: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep118freePDF
If you enjoyed this story about Lanny Smoot, you may also enjoy learning about Lewis Latimer, the inventor and patent draftsman who helped improve Thomas Edison’s light bulb: https://jonincharacter.com/lewis-latimer/
CREDITS: Hidden Heroes of History is a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Rebecca Cunningham, edited and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.
SF BAY AREA KIDS PODCAST FESTIVAL! Jonathan will be storytelling live on August 30 at The Reading Bug Bookstore in downtown San Carlos, CA: https://thereadingbug.com/event/2026-08-30/kids-podcast-festival
Support the show
GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.
REACH OUT!
Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/Support Our Pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music
QUICK LINKS
This is an episodic podcast, so you can listen to it in any order, but episode one is a great place to start.
Listen to episode one hereA tale of imagination, invention and real-life magic! Lanny Smoot is an Imagineer and electrical engineer with more than 100 patented inventions for Disney theme parks. He’s the mind behind the real-life lightsaber and a floor that makes you feel like you’re moving through other worlds. His inventive spirit started early, inspired by his father and a fascination with the lightbulb. He went from building his own unicycle as a kid to being honored in the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work with Disney. Lanny brings joy to millions and his journey lights the way for future inventors.
Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/lanny-smoot/
Get a free activity guide on Lanny Smoot: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep118freePDF
If you enjoyed this story about Lanny Smoot, you may also enjoy learning about Lewis Latimer, the inventor and patent draftsman who helped improve Thomas Edison’s light bulb: https://jonincharacter.com/lewis-latimer/
CREDITS: Hidden Heroes of History is a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Rebecca Cunningham, edited and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.
SF BAY AREA KIDS PODCAST FESTIVAL! Jonathan will be storytelling live on August 30 at The Reading Bug Bookstore in downtown San Carlos, CA: https://thereadingbug.com/event/2026-08-30/kids-podcast-festival
Support the show
GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.
REACH OUT!
Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/Support Our Pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music
Sound Carrot is your source for Family Podcast Discovery. Verified awesome, 0% boring.
Distraction free website, no flashing banners or adverts to steal your attention.
(Some shows do contain their own ads however).
At first I made this site for my kids, but like any dad I got a little over excited. I hope you find it as useful as they do.
Whether you want to listen to them together in the car, or alone in your room - the content is all safe for younger ears.
