VR – A Fascinating History: From Experiential Theater to Today’s VR Goggles


Have you ever wondered how virtual reality (VR) evolved into the amazing technology we have today? The fascinating history of VR is full of innovations and groundbreaking inventions that have shaped the immersive experience we can now enjoy. Let’s take a journey through time and discover how VR came about and why you need to try it. If you haven’t tried VR before, I hope you’ll be curious to put on a VR headset/glasses and give it a try after reading this.

The beginning: Morton Heilig’s Experience Theater

VR’s roots can be traced back to the 1950s when Morton Heilig developed an ‘experience theater’. In 1957, Heilig created the Sensorama, a machine that offered a multi-sensory experience with 3D images, sounds, smells and movement. Sensorama was designed to make users feel as if they were part of the movie. This early innovation showed the potential for immersive experiences, even though the technology was far from today’s VR. Sensorama thus laid the foundation for VR and its history.

In 1957, Morton Heilig created Sensorama, a machine that offered a multi-sensory experience with 3D images, sounds, smells and movement.
Sensorama

The first VR headsets: 1960s

In the 1960s, Heilig continued to explore VR technology and created the Telesphere Mask, the first head-mounted display (HMD). At the same time, Ivan Sutherland and his team at Harvard were working on another groundbreaking innovation: The Sword of Damocles. This was a primitive VR headset that hung from the ceiling and displayed simple graphic images. Although the technology was limited, these early experiments laid the foundation for future VR developments.

Progress in the 1980s and 1990s

In the 1980s, VR took great strides forward. Jaron Lanier, a pioneer in VR, founded the company VPL Research and coined the term ‘virtual reality’. VPL developed VR equipment such as the DataGlove and EyePhone, which enabled interaction with virtual worlds. At the same time, scientists and engineers began to explore VR’s potential in medicine, education and military training. VR continued to fascinate and history was made at an accelerating pace.

On Wikipedia you can read more about Jaron Lanien and VRP Research

In the 1990s, VR made its entry into popular culture. Movies like “The Lawnmower Man” and “The Matrix” popularized the concept of virtual worlds. At the same time, the gaming industry launched VR gaming systems such as the Virtual Boy from Nintendo. Despite high expectations, these early consumer products had limited success due to technical limitations and high costs.

In the 1990s, Nintendo launched the Virtual Boy, part of a fascinating VR story.
Virtual Boy

21st century: Refining technology

In the 2000s, VR technology improved significantly. Advances in computer graphics, sensor technology and display technology enabled more realistic and immersive VR experiences. Researchers continued to explore the potential of VR in various fields, including mental health, where VR therapy was used to treat phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Modern VR Revolution: 2010s and Beyond

The real VR revolution began in the 2010s with the launch of the Oculus Rift. Palmer Luckey, a young entrepreneur, created a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development of a VR headset that would be more accessible to consumers. Oculus Rift became a huge success and was later acquired by Facebook for $2 billion.

Following the success of the Oculus Rift, several other companies followed suit, including HTC with Vive, Sony with PlayStation VR and Google with Cardboard. These products made VR accessible to a wider audience and thus led to an explosion of VR content in gaming, education and entertainment.

Google with Cardboard helped make VR more accessible to a wider audience.
Google Cardboard

Why You Must Try VR Today

It’s no wonder that people are fascinated by VR and its history. Today, VR technology is more advanced and accessible than ever before. With VR goggles like Pimax Crystal, Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3, you can experience incredibly realistic virtual worlds without the need for external sensors or computers. VR offers a range of experiences, from action-packed games and virtual travel to meditative environments and workouts.

VR has also revolutionized many industries. In education, VR is used to create interactive and engaging learning experiences. In medicine, it is used, among other things to simulate surgical procedures and treat patients. Another area is in architecture and design, where VR enables creators to visualize and explore their projects in a whole new way. VR technology and VR goggles open up new possibilities, what we saw as dreams and fantasies just a few decades ago are now reality.

Even a fascinating story has an end, but VR will continue to evolve and make new history.
The Pimax Crystal Light shown in the picture is new today, how will we look at it in 50 years?
Pimax Crystal Light

Stepping into the VR world

Trying VR is not just a technological experience; it is also a chance to explore new worlds and perspectives. Whether you’re a gamer, a student, a professional or just curious, VR offers something for everyone.

With a rich and fascinating history and endless possibilities, VR is a technology you don’t want to miss. So why wait? Step into the virtual world and experience the magic for yourself! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at VRGaming.