Virtual Reality

In 1838, Stereopsis was a significant milestone in the history of virtual reality. It laid the foundation for creating a sense of depth perception in virtual environments.

The Link Trainer, developed in 1929, was a crucial advancement in virtual reality history. It was one of the earliest flight simulators used for pilot training, showcasing the potential of VR in practical training scenarios.

In 1935, Stanley G. Weinbaum, an American Science Fiction Writer, introduced the concept of Pygmalion’s goggles. These goggles were envisioned to provide users with a unique immersive experience, allowing them to perceive the world through holographic views and engage multiple senses like touch, smell, and taste.

In 1956, cinematographer Morton Heilig developed Sensorama, considered the first virtual reality machine (patented in 1962). It was a booth that accommodated up to four people and offered a multi-sensory experience including 3D video, audio, vibrations, smell, and atmospheric effects. Heilig aimed to revolutionize cinema by immersing viewers in films through Sensorama.

Morton Heilig's invention of the Sensorama in 1957 laid the groundwork for virtual reality by introducing multiple layers of sensory stimulation in a simulated environment.

In 1960, Morton Heilig introduced the Telesphere mask, a headset that provided wide vision of pictures in stereoscopic 3D with stereo sound but without motion tracking, marking the first example of a Head Mounted Display.

In 1962, Morton Heilig invented Sensorama, a mechanical device that allowed users to experience all senses, including sound, sights, smells, vibrations, and atmospheric effects like wind, in arcade-styled theaters. Heilig envisioned Sensorama as the future of cinema.

In 1963, the first virtual reality headset called 'The Headsight' was created by two Philco Corporation engineers. It featured head tracking technology, setting it apart from previous head-mounted displays.

Computer scientist Ivan Sutherland introduced the concept of the Ultimate Display, envisioning a virtual world experienced through a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) that could replicate reality to a point where the user could not distinguish it from actual reality. This concept laid the foundation for Virtual Reality technology.

Thomas Furness, an engineer for the military, kick started the development of modern flight simulator technology, influencing VR technology to this day.

The first VR head-mounted display (HMD) system, known as The Sword of Damocles, was invented in 1968 by computer scientist Ivan Sutherland and his student Bob Sproull. This invention marked a significant milestone in the history of VR technology.

Myron Krueger, a virtual reality computer artist, created computer-generated environments that interacted with people, leading to the development of VIDEOPLACE technology.

VIDEOPLACE is considered the first interactive VR system, utilizing CG, light projection, cameras, and screens to track user position, resembling modern AR projection without the need for a headset.

In 1977, the Aspen Movie Map was developed at MIT, allowing users to take a virtual tour of Aspen, Colorado.

Thomas A. Furness created the first VR HMD training helmet for the air force in 1982. This helmet assisted pilots in interpreting radar imagery, infrared, and 3D maps generated by computers.

Jaron Lanier and Thomas Zimmerman established VPL Research, Inc., the first company to commercially sell VR goggles and gloves, pioneering the development of VR equipment like the DataGlove, EyePhone HMD, and Audio Sphere.

In 1987, Jaron Lanier of VPL Research coined the term 'virtual reality', giving the research area a definitive name. VPL Research also developed VR gear like the Dataglove and EyePhone, pioneering VR goggles and gloves.

Scott Foster established Crystal River Engineering Inc in 1989 after receiving a contract from NASA to work on the Virtual Environment Workstation Project (VIEW). The project focused on developing a VR training simulator for astronauts with real-time binaural 3D audio processing.

Jonathan Waldern exhibited Virtuality, a VR arcade machine, at the Computer Graphics 90 exhibition in London.

The Virtuality Group launched Virtuality, the first mass-produced VR entertainment system, where gamers could play in a 3D gaming world using VR arcade machines.

The movie 'The Lawnmower Man' played a significant role in popularizing the concept of virtual reality to a wider audience. It was partly inspired by the early laboratory days of Jaron Lanier, the founder of Virtual Reality, and featured real virtual reality equipment from VPL research labs.

In 1993, SAGA announced its first VR glasses, marking a significant advancement in virtual reality technology.

Mark Pesce introduces the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) in 1994, a programming language used to create 3D computer graphics for virtual reality environments.

In 1995, Nintendo introduced Virtual Boy, a pioneering gaming console that offered a unique virtual reality experience.

In 1997, researchers from Georgia Tech and Emory University utilized VR technology to create a warzone simulation for Vietnam War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

In 1999, The Matrix, directed by the Wachowski siblings, was released, portraying characters living in a simulated world. This film had a profound cultural impact, popularizing the concept of simulated reality in mainstream media.

In 2001, Barco and Clarte unveiled the SAS Cube, the first PC-based cubic room, which made its debut at Laval, France.

In 2007, Google launched its first VR product called Street View, providing users with a panoramic view of roads, building interiors, and rural areas.

In 2010, the PC-connected Oculus Rift prototype was introduced, marking the emergence of contemporary VR devices.

In 2012, Palmer Luckey introduced the first prototype of Oculus Rift, inspired by Google's Stereoscopic 3D mode of Street View. This innovation revolutionized the VR industry by offering a wide viewing angle of 90 degrees.

The year 2014 marked a significant boost for VR technology. Facebook acquired Oculus Rift for $2 billion, Sony integrated VR into PS4 gaming console, Google launched Google Cardboard, and Samsung introduced Samsung Gear compatible with Galaxy smartphones.

In 2015, VR possibilities started becoming widely available to the general public. The Wall Street Journal launched a VR roller coaster, the BBC created a 360-degree video of a Syrian migrant camp, and The Washington Post released a VR experience of the Oval Office.

HTC released the HTC VIVE SteamVR headset, the first commercial release with sensor-based tracking allowing users to move freely in a space.

The second generation of virtual reality technology is expected to be more appealing to consumers and enterprises compared to the previous generation, with significant improvements in both hardware and software.

During the Facebook Connect 7 event, the Oculus Quest 2 was introduced as an incremental update to the Quest, receiving positive reviews and selling in the millions globally.

A detailed examination of the progress and changes in Virtual Reality technology over time.

Virtual reality has matured and become commonplace within the minds of people and businesses, with continuous incorporation into workflows and creation processes.

Meta announced the Meta Quest 3 on June 1, 2023. The Meta Quest 3 is a mixed-reality headset with significant advancements in display quality, processing power, and tracking capabilities.

Apple revealed its entry into the VR market with the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset announced at WWDC 2023, priced at $3,499.

Andi Cross, a growth strategist and founder of impact consultancy WILDPALM, discusses the evolution of virtual reality (VR) and its impact on technology. VR creates immersive environments that engage multiple senses and have applications in various fields such as gaming, training, education, and travel.

According to GlobalData forecasts, the virtual reality market is projected to reach $28 billion by 2030, indicating substantial growth and potential in the VR industry.