When did the term “virtual reality” first come into use?

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows users to experience a computer-generated environment as if it were real.

The concept of virtual reality has been around for several decades, but the term itself was first used in the 1960s.

In 1968, Ivan Sutherland coined the term “virtual reality” in his book “Skyway: A Proposal for an Interactive Computer Graphics System.” In this book, he described a system that would allow users to explore a virtual world using a head-mounted display (HMD) and gloves equipped with sensors.

Despite the early use of the term, it wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that virtual reality technology really began to take off. This was largely due to advances in computer graphics and the development of more powerful hardware, such as personal computers and game consoles.

One of the most significant milestones in virtual reality history came in 1992 with the release of the first commercial VR system, the Sega Genesis 3D accelerator. This system was designed specifically for gaming and allowed users to experience immersive, 3D environments while playing games.

Since then, virtual reality technology has continued to evolve rapidly, with new innovations emerging all the time. Today, VR is used in a wide range of applications, including gaming, education, healthcare, and more. As the technology continues to improve, it’s likely that we will see even more exciting uses for virtual reality in the future.

When did the term "virtual reality" first come into use?