Virtual reality (VR) has been a topic of interest for decades, but when was it actually created? This is a common question that many people ask, and the answer may surprise you. In this article, we will explore the history of VR and discover when it was first invented.
The concept of virtual reality dates back to the 1950s
Although VR technology has come a long way since its inception, the idea of creating an immersive, computer-generated environment that could simulate real-world experiences dates back to the 1950s. It was during this time that researchers at Scripps Research Institute first started experimenting with stereoscopic displays and headsets.
Stereoscopic displays were used to create a sense of depth
The researchers at Scripps discovered that by using stereoscopic displays (two screens displaying slightly different perspectives from each eye), they could create an illusion of depth. This was a groundbreaking discovery, as it allowed them to simulate the way our eyes perceive the world around us in a computer-generated environment.
The first VR headset was invented in 1968
Although the concept of virtual reality dates back to the 1950s, the first VR headset was not invented until 1968. This device was called the “Sword of Damocles” and was created by Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist at MIT. The Sword of Damocles was a simple device that used a projector to display a stereoscopic image in front of the user’s eyes.
The first VR system was developed in the 1980s
Although the Sword of Damocles was a groundbreaking invention, it was not until the 1980s that the first fully functional VR system was developed. This system was called the “Virtual Environment Workstation” (VEWS) and was created by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The VEWS allowed users to explore a virtual world in real-time and paved the way for future advancements in VR technology.
In conclusion,
Virtual reality has come a long way since its inception in the 1950s. Although the concept of creating an immersive, computer-generated environment that could simulate real-world experiences dates back to this time, the first VR headset was not invented until 1968, and the first fully functional VR system was developed in the 1980s. Today, virtual reality technology continues to evolve and advance, with new innovations emerging all the time.