William Shaw ‘66

While many may not recognize his name, thousands have watched movie pictures on large–format projection screens, thanks to his inventiveness. William Shaw, one of the developers of Imax technology, has been an active and influential member of the motion picture industry since the 1960s. Today, he continues as a consultant with Imax Corporation.

Following his graduation from McMaster with an MBA (1966), Shaw became the director of development for Multiscreen Corporation (now, Imax Corp.). He developed the large–format Imax Rolling Loop Projection System, the prototype of which was completed in the University’s physics laboratory. The first permanent Imax projection system was installed in the Cinesphere at Toronto’s Ontario Place in 1971. Shaw is also responsible for the development of numerous Imax projection systems, cameras and camera accessory equipment, and led the engineering team that designed the Imax Dome (Omnimax). He is a recipient of the John Grierson Medal for Technical Achievement from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and the Leonardo Da Vinci Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In 1991, Shaw was made a fellow of the British Cinematograph, Sound and Television Society.