#Disneyland60..........Today In Disneyland History...............August 26, 2005

Disney Legend Fred Joerger Passes Away

August 26, 2005

On August 26, 2005, Disney Legend Fred Joerger, a master model maker who helped create Disneyland's look by molding three-dimensional models of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Haunted Mansion and other attractions, passed away at age 91. Born in Pekin, Illinois, on December 21, 1913, Fred graduated from the University of Illinois with a fine arts degree in 1937. He then moved to Los Angeles and joined the art department at Warner Brother’s building models of movie sets.  Walt Disney handpicked Joerger back in 1953 to become one of the first three members of WED Enterprises (today known as Walt Disney Imagineering) along with Harriett Burns and Wathel Rogers. Joerger's unusual knack for creating gorgeous rockwork out of plaster led to his reputation as Imagineering's "resident rock expert." Imagineer Fred Joerger helped realize Walt Disney’s visions by crafting three-dimensional miniature models of Disney theme park attractions, as well as motion picture sets and props, before they were brought to full-scale life.

As Fred recalled, “I was given artists’ drawings of an interior set or a building and interpreted them into models. It’s very easy to make something like the Haunted Mansion look good on paper, but if you don’t get it into three-dimensions first, you may have a disaster. Well, my job was to create the model to avert disaster, which was fun, but a challenge.”

Among his rocky mountain highlights; the huge stones featured on the Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Joerger also built miniature sets and props for Disney motion pictures, including Mary Poppins, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. It was Joerger who designed and constructed most all rockwork at Walt Disney World for its 1971 opening, including the breathtaking atrium waterfall featured in the Polynesian Village Resort.

In 1979, after 25 years with the Company, Fred retired. He soon returned, however, to serve as field art director for EPCOT Center prior to its 1982 opening.  His legacy lives on not just in his creations but in the Haunted Mansion as well where guests can still see the Haunted Mansion tombstone is a tribute to Joerger. The "Here Lies Good Old Fred - A Great Big Rock Fell On His Head". And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history. 

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History......August 20, 1928

First Female Disney Imagineer Harriet Tapp Is Born

                                       August 20, 1928

August 20, 1928, Harriet Burns, then Harriet Tapp, who later married and became Harriet Burns, was born in San Antonio, Texas.  The name may not sound familiar immediately but I guarantee that you know her work for this Disney Imagineer Burns was the first woman ever hired by Walt Disney Imagineering in a creative rather than an office capacity. She began working at Disney Studios in 1955 as a prop and set painter for the Mickey Mouse Club. Later on it was Harriet Burns that helped to create Sleeping Beauty Castle, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and many other theme park and along with many of the 1964-1965

 World's Fair attractions.   Burns may have worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the model shop, wielding saws, lathes, and sanders, she was still the best-dressed employee in the department.

Photo Credit Disney Enterprises Inc. 

“It was the 1950s,” she later explained. “I wore color-coordinated dresses, high heels, and gloves to work. Girls didn’t wear slacks back then, although I carried a pair in a little sack, just in case I had to climb into high places.”  Harriet’s career started after she received her bachelor’s degree in art from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She went on to study advanced design for another year at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

In 1953, she moved to Los Angeles with her husband and small daughter. There, she accepted a part-time position at Dice Display Industries Cooperative Exchange, where she helped design and produce props for television’s Colgate Comedy Hour along with interiors and sets for Las Vegas hotels, including the Dunes. Adept at her work, she was asked to spearhead the creation of the fanciful Southern California tourist destination Santa’s Village, located near Lake Arrowhead.

When Dice went out of business in 1955, a co-employee who had once worked at Disney beat tracks back to the Studio and invited Harriet to come along. She was subsequently hired to paint sets and props for the new Mickey Mouse Club television show. Harriet soon began coordinating the show’s color styling and even designed and built the famous “Mouse Clubhouse.”

She later joined Walt Disney Imagineering, formerly called WED Enterprises, where she helped create Sleeping Beauty Castle, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, and more. She also helped construct Storybook Land, which features miniature villages inspired by Disney animated movies such as Pinocchio, and designed all of the “singing birds” in the Enchanted Tiki Room, the first Audi- Animatronics^® attraction at Disneyland.

Harriet worked on everything from figure finishing to stage design for attractions featured at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, including Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Carousel of Progress. On occasion, when Walt would introduce new theme park attractions to television audiences, she would appear on segments of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

After retirement, Harriet remained an active member of the arts and music community in Santa Barbara, California.

 Sadly Harriet Burns passed away on July 25, 2008, in Los Angeles, California but her legacy will live on in the Happiest Place on Earth throughout the generations to come.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.  

Dream It! Do It!

Dream It! Do It! 

A Presentation by Marty Sklar

Disney Gal Judy: This past Sunday, Kelly and I were fortunate enough to have been at the Museum of Science and Industry for a presentation by Marty Sklar for his new book Dream It! Do It! The event was opened by Kurt Haunfelner, VP of Exhibits and Collections for the museum.  This was a great person to open for Marty Sklar as Kurt worked for Disney under Marty many years ago.  Kurt shared many interesting tidbits on Marty's live at Disney such as: 

• Marty started working for Disney part-time a few weeks before Disneyland opened;
• He worked on all four exhibits for the 1964 New York World's Fair;
• He is a 2001 Disney Legend;
• He held many titles at the Walt Disney Imagineering including; Vice President of Concepts and Planning; then he was promoted to President and his last title was Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Executive of the Company; and
• He worked for Disney for 54 years.

Here's the Latest from D23

DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS TAKES FANS ON JOURNEY FROM SKETCH TO SHELF AT DISNEY’S D23 EXPO 2013

Disney’s Ultimate Fans to Enjoy Access to Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Content and Merchandise

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will give Disney’s most loyal fans an up close look at an extensive collection of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel and Star Wars timeless characters during the bi-annual D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan event. 

Held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Aug. 9-11, 2013, Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from “sketch to shelf” and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures and final product displays.

While at the D23 Expo fans will also be able to immerse themselves in exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, special signing opportunities and exclusive product offerings at the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion.

Disney Consumer Products’ exciting lineup of events and attractions includes: