* The first cartoon with fully synchronized sound (1928). * The first full-colour cartoon (1932). * The first animated feature film (1937) * The first modern theme park (1955). It's no wonder that they have continued that legacy. "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney In fact, Disney opened Epcot Centre in 1982 to celebrate human achievement, specifically technological advancement and international culture. The park receives around 12 million visitors every year and is represented by 'Spaceship Earth', the geodesic sphere featured on the front cover of this issue of DentaltownUK. At the beginning of Epcot's 'time machine' ride, a camera takes pictures using facial recognition technology. The images are then used at the end of the ride in a presentation about the future of technology which features the riders' faces on animated characters! "Animation offers a medium of story-telling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world." - Walt Disney Per its website, Disney Research aims to "drive value for The Walt Disney Co. by delivering scientific and technological innovation. ... Our world-class research talent invents and transfers the most compelling technologies enabling the Company to differentiate content, services and products."