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The Stereotoscope
In 1838, Charles Wheatstone’s research demonstrated that the brain processes the different two-dimensional images from each eye into a single object of three dimensions. Viewing two side by side stereoscopic images or photos through a stereoscope gave the user a sense of depth and immersion. -
The lenticular stereoscope
In 1849, David Brewster improved and popularised a portable 3-D viewing device, the lenticular stereoscope. Using lenses and prisms instead of mirrors it was more compact than Wheatstone’s reflecting stereoscope and easier to use. It became the first commercial stereoscope and gained mass popularity after display at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and Queen Victoria's purchase of a lenticular viewer from Jean Antoine Claudet FRS in 1852. -
Link Trainer
In 1929, Edward Link created the “Link trainer” probably the first example of a commercial flight simulator, which was entirely electromechanical. It was controlled by motors that linked to the rudder and steering column to modify the pitch and roll. A small motor-driven device mimicked turbulence and disturbances. Such was the need for safer ways to train pilots that the US military bought six of these devices for $3500. -
Pygmalion’s Spectacles
In the 1930s a story by science fiction writer Stanley G. Weinbaum contains the idea of a pair of goggles that let the wearer experience a fictional world through holographics, smell, taste and touch. In hindsight the experience Weinbaum describes for those wearing the goggles are uncannily like the modern and emerging experience of virtual reality, making him a true visionary of the field. -
Sensorama
In the mid 1950s cinematographer Morton Heilig developed the Sensorama which was an arcade-style theatre cabinet that would stimulate all the senses, not just sight and sound. It featured stereo speakers, a stereoscopic 3D display, fans, smell generators and a vibrating chair. The Sensorama was intended to fully immerse the individual in the film. He also created six short films for his invention all of which he shot, produced and edited himself. -
Telesphere Mask
Morton Heilig’s next invention was the Telesphere Mask and was the first example of a head-mounted display (HMD), albeit for the non-interactive film medium without any motion tracking. The headset provided stereoscopic 3D and wide vision with stereo sound. -
Headsight
In 1961, two Philco Corporation engineers Comeau & Bryan developed the first precursor to the HMD as we know it today – the Headsight. It incorporated a video screen for each eye and a magnetic motion tracking system, which was linked to a closed circuit camera. The Headsight was not actually developed for virtual reality applications (the term didn’t exist then), but to allow for immersive. -
Ivan Sutherland - Famous Essay for AR
Ivan Sutherland described the “Ultimate Display” concept that could simulate reality to the point where one could not tell the difference from actual reality. His concept included:- A virtual world viewed through a HMD and appeared realistic through augmented 3D sound and tactile feedback.
- Computer hardware to create the virtual word and maintain it in real time.
- The ability users to interact with objects in the virtual world in a realistic way
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Sword of Damocles
In 1968, Ivan Sutherland and his student Bob Sproull created the first VR / AR head mounted display (Sword of Damocles) that was connected to a computer and not a camera. It was a large and scary looking contraption that was too heavy for any user to comfortably wear and was suspended from the ceiling (hence its name). The user would also need to be strapped into the device. The computer generated graphics were very primitive wireframe rooms and objects. -
The VITAL helmet
The VITAL helmet is probably the first proper example of a VR HMD outside of the lab. Using a head tracker, pilots could look at primitive computer-generated imagery. The military was experimentilizing with HMDs. They wanted to help fighter pilots cope with the increasing elaboration of the fighter jet technology. -
VPL Research is Founded
Jaron Lanier and Thomas Zimmerman founded VPL Research, Inc. This company is known as the first company to sell VR goggles and gloves. They developed a range of VR equipment, such as, the DataGlove, EyePhone HMD and the Audio Sphere. -
Super Cockpit
Tom Furness, was the director of an Airforce project known as the “super cockpit”. It was a simulator designed for training that featured CG graphics and real time interactivity for pilots. Interestingly, the Super Cockpit featured integration between movement tracking and aircraft control. -
Virtual Reality - The name was born !
Jaron Lanier, founder of the visual programming lab (VPL), coined or according to some popularised the term “virtual reality”. -
Project VIEW - NASA
Scott Foster founded Crystal River Engineering Inc after receiving a contract from NASA to develop the audio element of the Virtual Environment Workstation Project (VIEW) – a VR training simulator for astronauts. VIEW looks recognizable as a modern example of VR and features gloves for fine simulation of touch interaction. Through this company real-time binaural 3D audio processing was developed. -
Power Glove
The Power Glove is a controller accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Power Glove gained public attention due to its early virtual reality mechanics and significant marketing. However, its two games did not sell well, as it was not packaged with a game, and it was criticized for its imprecise and difficult-to-use controls. -
The Virtuality Group
We began to see virtual reality devices to which the public had access, although household ownership of cutting edge virtual reality was still far out of reach. The Virtuality Group launched a range of arcade games and machines. Players would wear a set of VR goggles and play on gaming machines with realtime (less than 50ms latency) immersive stereoscopic 3D visuals. Some units were also networked together for a multi-player gaming experience. -
Sega VR
Sega VR headset for the Sega Genesis console was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1993. It was based on an IDEO VR head mounted display with LCD screens in the visor and stereo headphones. HMD also had head-tracking feature. Versions were designed for arcades and consoles (Sega Genesis and later Saturn), but only the arcade version was released, while the home console versions were set aside. -
Nintendo Virtual Boy - VR-32
The Virtual Boy, also known as VR-32, is a 32-bit table-top 3D video game console developed and made by Nintendo. VB was sold out as the first “portable” video game console showing “true 3D graphics” out of the box. It was recognized as a commercial failure and was not released anywhere else despite price drops. The reported reasons for this failure were a lack of colour in graphics, lack of software support and inconvenience of using the console.