Virtual reality (VR) has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the first VR headset was invented.
The Birth of Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is a technology that allows users to experience a computer-generated environment as if it were real. The idea behind VR dates back to 1920 when the French inventor Maurice Koechlin created a device called the “Stereoscope” which used mirrors and lenses to create a stereoscopic effect.
In 1935, a Scottish engineer named Ivan Sutherland developed Sketchpad, an interactive computer program that could be used to create simple graphics. In the following decade, American scientist J.C.R Licklider, who coined the term “VR” in 1960, made significant contributions to the development of VR technology by creating a prototype of the first VR headset called the “Sword of Damocles.”
The First Commercial VR Headset
Despite its flaws, the Sword of Damocles paved the way for the development of future VR headsets. In 1968, a company called the Sword of Damocles Corporation released the first commercial VR headset, known as the “HMD-1.” The HMD-1 was a massive headset that weighed over 20 pounds and had a resolution of just 48×48 pixels.
The HMD-1 was primarily used for research purposes and was not commercially successful. However, it did demonstrate the potential of VR technology and inspired other companies to develop their own VR headsets.
The Modern Era of VR Headsets
Since then, there have been many advancements in VR technology, including the development of more advanced VR headsets. The first commercial VR headset to gain widespread popularity was the Oculus Rift, which was released in 2016. The Rift has since become one of the most popular VR headsets on the market and has been used for everything from gaming to virtual meetings.
Another popular VR headset is the HTC Vive, which was also released in 2016. The Vive has a higher resolution than the Rift and offers a more immersive experience.
In recent years, there have been many other VR headsets developed by companies such as Sony, Samsung, and Google. These headsets offer different features and experiences, but they all share one thing in common: the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology.
Who Invented the First Virtual Reality Headset?
While the Sword of Damocles was the first commercial VR headset, it was not the first VR headset ever developed. That distinction goes to the Sword of Damocles prototype created by J.C.R Licklider in 1960.
Licklider’s Sword of Damocles was a significant milestone in the history of VR technology, and it paved the way for the development of future VR headsets. It may not be the most advanced or user-friendly VR headset on the market today, but its legacy lives on in the modern era of VR technology.
Conclusion
Virtual reality is a rapidly evolving technology that has come a long way since its inception.
