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LeadershipBob Iger

14 iconic milestones of Disney innovation

Michal Lev-Ram
By
Michal Lev-Ram
Michal Lev-Ram
Special Correspondent
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December 29, 2014, 7:30 AM ET

A timeline looking back at the path of innovation at the Mouse House from 1929-2015.

More: Disney CEO Bob Iger’s empire of tech

1929

Disney releases Steamboat Willie, pioneering "fully synchronized" sound cartoons.

1937

1937. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animation feature, makes its debut.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the first full-length animation feature, makes its debut.

1963

1963. The Tiki Room opens at Disneyland, introducing parkgoers to audio animatronics (electro-mechanical robots).

The Tiki Room opens at Disneyland, introducing parkgoers to audio animatronics (electro-mechanical robots).

1977

Luke Skywalker in Star Wars

Lucasfilm releases Star Wars, the first film shot with motion-control camera.

1982

1982. The re-recording of Fantasia breaks ground as the first film done in digital sound.

The re-recording of Fantasia breaks ground as the first film done in digital sound.

1986

1986. Captain EO, one of the first "4-D" films (a 3-D movie incorporating special effects such as smoke and lasers), opens at Disneyland.

Captain EO, one of the first "4-D" films (a 3-D movie incorporating special effects such as smoke and lasers), opens at Disneyland.

1995

Pixar Animation Studios releases Toy Story, the first feature-length computer-animated film.

1988

1998. ABC airs the first network broadcast in high-definition television, the live-action version of 101 Dalmatians.

ABC airs the first network broadcast in high-definition television, the live-action version of 101 Dalmations.

2005

2005. In an unprecedented deal, Disney makes full-length TV episodes available on Apple's iTunes Music Store.

In an unprecedented deal, Disney makes full-length TV episodes available on Apple's iTunes Music Store.

2006

2006. ABC becomes the first network to offer ad-supported TV episodes online for fee, via its own branded player.

ABC becomes the first network to offer ad-supported TV episodes online for free, via its own branded player.

2009

2009. ESPN launches the SportsCenter app, the most downloaded sports app of all time (with more than 55 million downloads).

ESPN launches the SportsCenter app, the most downloaded sports app of all time (with more than 55 million downloads).

2013

A Walt Disney World Resort guest uses a MagicBand to enter Magic Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

MagicBands debut at Disney World, allowing guest to enter the park and pay for food using the RFID-enabled wristbands.

2014

Apple Pay

Disney stores adopt Apple Pay, letting customers make purchases using near-field communications capabilities on few iPhones

2015

Later this year, Disney will release an Apple Watch with guess who on the face.

About the Author
Michal Lev-Ram
By Michal Lev-RamSpecial Correspondent
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Michal Lev-Ram is a special correspondent covering the technology and entertainment sectors for Fortune, writing analysis and longform reporting.

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