The term “virtual reality” first came into use in the 1960s. It was coined by computer scientist Ivan Sutherland in 1968, when he developed the first virtual reality system called “Sword of Damocles”. This system allowed users to experience a simulated environment and interact with it using a head-mounted display (HMD) and motion sensors.
In the following decades, the term “virtual reality” became increasingly popular as computer technology advanced and more people began to explore its potential applications. In the 1980s, researchers at the University of Illinois developed a system called “Cave Automatic Virtual Environment” (CAVE) that used projections on walls and floor to create an immersive virtual environment.
In the 1990s, virtual reality began to gain more widespread adoption, with companies like Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) and Hewlett-Packard (HP) developing VR hardware and software. The launch of the Oculus Rift in 2016 marked a significant milestone in the development of consumer-grade virtual reality technology.
Overall, the term “virtual reality” has come a long way since its origins in the 1960s, and it continues to evolve as new technologies are developed and more people begin to explore its potential applications.