Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows users to experience a computer-generated environment as if they were in the real world.
The first known use of the term “virtual reality” was in 1983 by Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and author. In his book “Vision and Computers,” Lanier used the term to describe a system that allowed users to manipulate a three-dimensional representation of an object on a computer screen as if it were real.
However, the concept of virtual reality can be traced back even further than this. In 1962, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist at MIT, created “Sketchpad,” a program that allowed users to draw and manipulate shapes on a computer screen. This was one of the earliest examples of a virtual environment, and it laid the groundwork for future developments in virtual reality technology.
In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers at universities and government agencies around the world began to develop more advanced virtual reality systems. These systems used head-mounted displays (HMDs) to create a realistic sense of immersion for users. One notable example is the “Ivan Sutherland’s Head-Mounted Display,” which was developed in 1980 and allowed users to look around a virtual environment as if they were physically present.
In 1983, researchers at the University of Illinois created the first computer-generated 3D environment that could be explored by a user using an HMD. This system, called the “Cyberspace,” was designed to simulate a room in which users could move around and interact with virtual objects.
In the 1990s, virtual reality technology began to become more widespread, as advances in computer hardware made it possible to create more realistic and immersive environments. This era saw the development of consumer-friendly virtual reality systems like the Nintendo Virtual Boy and the Sega Genesis 3D.
Today, virtual reality is a rapidly growing field, with new technologies and applications emerging all the time. From gaming to medicine, virtual reality is changing the way we interact with the world around us.