Untangling the Hairy Physics of Rapunzel

The secret to animating hair? Physics. Kelly Ward, senior software engineer for Walt Disney Animation Studios, was responsible for bringing Rapunzel’s locks to life in Disney’s Tangled. The hair had to look realistic, but not too real — otherwise Rapunzel would be dragging 80 pounds behind her.

Meet the Producer

About Flora Lichtman

Flora Lichtman was the host of the podcast Every Little Thing. She’s a former Science Friday multimedia producer.