Picture this: way back in the 1930s, the seed of VR was planted in a short science fiction story with a goggle-based narrative that included holographic recordings, taste, touch, and even smell!
We'll rewind the clock and show you how this fantastical concept became the brainchild behind today's VR wonderland.
Disclaimer: This infographic is a condensed overview of the key milestones in the history and evolution of Virtual Reality. The VR industry is constantly evolving, and this infographic represents a snapshot of the available information.
In Stanley G. Weinbaum's "Pygmalion's Spectacles" story, the author envisioned a goggle-based game that offered holographic recordings with touch and smell elements, foreshadowing today's VR experience.
Talk about an early tech visionary.
Although replicating touch and smell remains a challenge, creators envision these additions in the near future. It's astonishing that over 85 years ago, the seeds of VR were already being sown, and these visionary plans continue to shape the future of VR.
The Sword of Damocles by Ivan Sutherland
Now let's flash forward a few decades to the swinging 1960s. We're not talking bell-bottoms and flower power here—no, this is when the military hopped on the VR train. With specialized software and motion controls, they cooked up VR headsets for training exercises. You read that right—simulated missions before the real deal! Safety first, people.
Zooming into the radical 90s, we'll meet the pioneers who wanted to bring VR home. Nintendo's "Virtual Boy" tried to woo us with its 3D magic, while Sega jumped into the VR ring with its own headset. Oh boy, it was a wild ride, but let's just say, not everyone was fully on board the VR hype train yet.
Palmer Luckey - Oculus Co-Founder
And then, drumroll please, enter Oculus VR, the game-changer of the decade! Backed by Facebook, these folks made VR go from zero to hero in no time. The Oculus Rift emerged, blowing our minds and paving the way for a VR renaissance.
The journey of Virtual Reality has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it shows no sign of slowing down. As technology marches forward, we can't help but be captivated by the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
So, here's to the visionaries of the past, the pioneers of the present, and the dreamers of the future. Let's raise a virtual toast to the incredible world of VR—a realm where the only limit is our imagination.
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