THE FIRE CHIEF WHO INSPIRED DISNEY
Visitors to California’s Disneyland or Florida’s Magic Kingdom, or those simply taking in a film at their local multiplex or IMAX theater, would likely be astonished to know that such popular modern amusements owe a great debt to a fire chief from 19th-century Kansas City, Missouri.
New York native George Consider Hale had already made a name for himself as an inventor and innovator. A skilled mechanical engineer, Hale joined the Kansas City Fire Department in 1871, and during his 31 years with the department (the last 20 as chief) he developed many new techniques and patented more than 60 inventions to help firefighters operate more safely and efficiently. Among
