Q : I have an original sketch of the Walt Disney signature logo done by Disney Legend Ralph Kent. It was given to me as a gift. I was curious if he was the original designer of the logo. If not, who or what group of people was responsible for designing the stylized signature that graces us with its presence before every Disney film and on basically every Disney product?
Joshua, Vancouver, Washington
A: The Disney logo dates back to the early days of the company; Ralph Kent didn’t join the company until 1963. The logo is based on Walt Disney’s original signature, but we do not know which Disney artists turned the signature into the logo.
Q : In the 1950s, my grandfather took me and my younger brother to a Fourth of July fireworks display in the Northwestern University foot stadium in Evanston, Illinois. My brother says that Walt Disney walked around the divide walkway waving. The event may have been a promotion for Disneyland. Is my brother’s memory correct?
John, Centerville, Utah
A: According to our lists of Walt Disney’s travels, he traveled to Evanston in July, 1957, to be in their Independence Day parade, along with Fess Parker (Davy Crockett), Hal Stalmaster (Johnny Tremain), and various Mouseketeers and Disney characters. The event continued with a twilight show and fireworks at Northwestern’s Dyche Stadium (now Ryan Field).
Q : From various books and magazine articles, I know that Walt Disney visited the site that would become Walt Disney World only once. Is it known exactly where he walked and what is located there today?
Robert, Kissimmee, Florida
A: On his trip to Orlando in November 1965, Walt did visit the site. There are some photos but since no work had begun, it is difficult to determine exactly where Walt went. We do know he was at a house that was near where the Saratoga Springs Resort now stands, and he rode in a boat on Bay Lake.
Tripp Avenue residence of Walt Disney when he lived with his family in Chicago
Q : Hi Dave! Supposedly my great-grandma, Anna Czekala, was the Disney Family doctor (according to my mom and family stories). This would have been in Chicago, and I’m not sure if it was the first time they lived in Chicago or the second time. She worked out of St. Anne’s Hospital in Chicago. I’m looking to confirm this, obviously. She was one of the first female doctors of her time.
Diane, Oswego, Illinois
A: The Disneys lived in Chicago when Walt was born in 1901, moving to Marceline in 1906. The family returned to Chicago from 1917 until 1919. I know of no way to prove a connection between the physician and the Disney family, unless a search of Chicago city directories would indicate they might have locations in close proximity to each other. The Disneys lived on Tripp Ave.
Q : I know that Walt Disney developed the multiplane camera, but I was wondering what other inventions are credited to him? I heard he designed the trash cans at Disneyland.
J.R., Richmond, Virginia
A: Walt Disney did not personally create the multiplane camera; that was Bill Garity on his staff. Walt was not an inventor or designer, but he hired a talented group of designers who worked at his WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering). Walt often made suggestions, but it was his staff that carried out the work. The Disney Company owns many patents relating to both motion picture equipment and theme park ride elements.