Virtual reality (VR) technology has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until recently that we have seen widespread adoption and advancements in the field.
The first virtual reality system was actually developed back in 1968 by Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist at MIT. This system, known as the “Sword of Damocles,” used a head-mounted display (HMD) to project images into the user’s field of view, creating an immersive virtual environment.
However, it wasn’t until 1980 that the first commercial VR system was released. This was the “DataGlove” system, developed by researchers at the University of California, San Diego. The DataGlove system used sensors on a pair of gloves to track the user’s hand movements and translate them into actions in a virtual environment.
While not as advanced as modern VR systems, the DataGlove marked an important milestone in the development of virtual reality technology.
Since then, there have been numerous advancements and improvements in VR technology, with companies like Oculus, HTC, and Sony releasing their own VR headsets. These systems use advanced tracking technology to provide a more immersive experience, allowing users to interact with virtual objects and environments in ways never thought possible before.
In conclusion, while the first virtual reality system was developed back in 1968, it wasn’t until 1980 that the first commercial VR system was released. Since then, there have been numerous advancements and improvements in VR technology, leading to widespread adoption and use today.