Did you know Virtual Reality is a platform that has been around since the 1950’s? Although the technology never caught up with the concept Making VR a long flailing failing joke. Over the coming decades new technologies emerged and virtual reality evolved from large seated machines to more streamlined head mounted technology. Still up until recent years the Technology has not been able to become immersive or accessible enough to become widespread within society.
here i have a basic chronological history
First came the Sensorama: 1958
Mortan Heilig was the creator of the Sensorama a single user console built in the late 50’s, this included stereoscopic display, fans, odor emitter, stereo speakers and a moving chair.
into the 1960’s saw the beginnings of Head Mounted Technology- The Headsight: 1961
The Philco Corporation created the first Head Mounted Display, including a video screen with a magnetic tracking system that followed head movement. One of the ways this was utilised was by linking helicopter pilots to Infrared cameras enabling the pilot to see in darker situations.
The Sword of Damocles: 1968.
This idea behind this platform is the basis of Virtual Reality how we know it, a virtual environment was created that you can react within a binocular display. Devised by Ivan Sutherland the Sword of Damocles had the user secure their head into the mounted device, here they can view the digital world from the HMD in real time and enhanced the ability for the user to manipulate virtual objects in a realistic and intuitive way.
More to be posted on the history of VR soon
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/other-gadgets/virtual-reality8.htm
Alienating Reality 