Exploring the Evolution of Virtual Reality Production Techniques
- Roman Petra
- Jun 20, 2023
- 3 min read
Virtual reality replicates the real-world surroundings for its users. There is no need to visit a place physically when they can have an immersive experience of the virtual environment created by this powerful technology. The credit goes to virtual reality production which uses dedicated software and hardware interaction for creating this virtual world.
But, have you ever thought about the evolution of virtual reality techniques? Let us explore this journey of evolution with virtual reality production companies. We will go through this journey with the help of a timeline.
History of virtual reality production
In 1935, a fiction book about virtual reality gained popularity. Its name was Pygmalion’s Spectacles.
In 1957, The first AR/VR multimedia device was launched. Its name was Sensorama.
In 1961, the first head-mounted VR display was launched. Its name was The Headlight.
In 1966, an essential flight simulator was launched by Thomas A Furness.
In 1968, the first head-mounted AR/VR display was launched. Its name was Sword of Damocles.
In 1978, the first VR remote travel experience was started.
In 1986, a visually coupled airborne system simulator (VCASS) was launched.
In 1987, the term virtual reality was created.
In 1991, the first virtual reality arcade game was launched.
In 1995, a virtual boy portable device named Nintendo was launched.
In 1997, PTSD therapy was delivered using virtual reality.
In 2007 Google launched street view.
In 2010, a virtual headset prototype by Oculus Rift was created.
In 2013, HTC Vive was started by Valve and HTC Group.
In 2014 Sony launched its virtual reality PlayStation.
In 2015, Google started Google's cardboard DIY headset.
In 2016, Google launched Google Earth VR.
In 2018, Facebook created the Oculus half dome.
In 2019, a surgical training and assessment platform using a virtual operating room for medical professionals was launched. It was named Osso VR.
In 2020, the world's first commercial VR headset with an eye tracking feature was launched. Its name was Piko Neo 2 Eye.
In 2022, Meta company started working on its first VR headset named Project Cambria.
In 2023, Apple launched its mixed-reality headset named Vision Pro.
Evolution of virtual reality production
1950 to 1960
The concept of the stereopsis created by Charles Wheatstone got light given virtual reality with Morton Heilig’s Sensorama. It featured a vibrating chair, small generators, oscillating fans, a stereoscopic 3D display, and stereo speakers. This decade saw the invention of “The Headlight” which was the first VR gear.
1970 to 1990
The year 1970 saw a rise in production of the different virtual reality devices. Several virtual reality production companies like General Electric started creating computerized flight simulators in 1972. The “VIDEOPLACE” was launched in 1976 by Kreuger. This device used user position measuring screens, cameras, light projection, and computer graphics.
The McDonnell-Douglas Corporation integrated virtual reality into HMD to create the VITAL helmet for military use in 1979. The StereoGraphics company created stereo vision glasses in 1980. Defanti created Sayre gloves in 1982 for monitoring hand movements.
The word “Virtual Reality” was finally devised by the founder of Visual Programming Lab (VPL) named Jaron Lanier. VPL became the first company to sell VR HMDs.
NASA commissioned a VR system for training its astronauts in 1989.
2010 to now
The first virtual reality headset was created by Palmer Luckey named Oculus Rift. It was in 2012, that Oculus Rift became a highly successful product with sales of over 2.4 million USD. Facebook bought Oculus in 2014.
In the years 2016 and 2017, companies like Samsung, Microsoft Sony, Amazon, Apple, Google, and HTC started creating their dedicated virtual reality headsets. Since then several companies have come to offer specialized virtual reality education services.
Concluding Thoughts
Hence, it is easy to understand the evolution of virtual reality production over the years. The history of virtual reality production started in 1935 and is evolving today. It is amazing to go through the evolution of virtual reality production companies throughout different decades.
Comments