Definition: The experience of placing oneself into the a virtual world through the use of a device and having the power to interact with the simulated environment. A common Virtual Reality component is the use of a headset device to simulate a world through sight and other stimuli such as smell or hearing
Brief Timeline:
- 1939: The Viewmaster was introduced, though it did not become a fad until the 1970s and 1980s. The Viewmaster is an analog version of a virtual reality headset where images can be displayed through the device to make the user feel immersed
- 1956: Sensorama, by Morton Heilg was introduced. This was an early prototype of VR simulation where users were immersed in a real city setting with the sensations of riding a motorcycle through sight, sound, smell and touch. A fully working prototype wasn't made until 1962
- 1960: Heilg also patented the Telesphere Mask which was a head mounted display device that influenced all future VR headset designs
- 1965: Ivan Sutherland's Ultimate Display mentioned in the AR timeline can be seen as an early form of virtual reality as well through the immersion through the visual device
- 1980s: NASA used the Virtual Interface Environment Workstation or VIEW which used a head mounted display and interactive gloves for simulations
- 1990s: Video game and entertainment production companies began utilizing VR technology with the introduction of the company Virtuality in 1991. They introduced a head mounted display with controllers that can interact with what was being seen through the device
- Nintendo also introduced their own version called the Virtual Boy, but it did not do as well as predicted because of lack of content and high price point
- 2000s - Present: Playstation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive, all VR Devices, were made for consumer purchase in 2016 and could be used for entertainment purposes like gaming or movies, but also for software development for educational purposes.