Virtual reality has been around for quite some time, but it wasn’t until relatively recently that it began to gain significant popularity. Here is a brief history of virtual reality and how it became so popular.
1960s: Virtual Reality was first conceived in the 1960s by computer scientists Ivan Sutherland and William Higinbotham. Sutherland created the first virtual environment called “Skywriter” in 1968, while Higinbotham created the first VR headset, called the “Human Eye Viewer,” in 1957.
2. 1970s: In the 70s, virtual reality technology took a backseat as computers were not yet powerful enough to run complex simulations. However, the concept of virtual reality continued to be explored by researchers.
3. 1980s: The 80s saw a resurgence in VR research and development with advancements in computer hardware and software. In 1982, Sutherland developed the first 3D graphics program, called “Zenith,” which laid the foundation for modern virtual reality.
4. 1990s: The 90s were a pivotal time for virtual reality as it began to be used in industries such as gaming and entertainment. In 1992, the first commercial VR system, called “Virtual Reality Theater System,” was introduced by Sega.
5. 2000s: The 2000s saw a significant increase in virtual reality applications, including training simulations for military personnel, doctors, and pilots. In 2004, Valve Corporation released the first version of its popular game, Half-Life 2, which included a virtual reality mode.
6. 2010s: The 2010s were a transformative time for virtual reality as it became more accessible and affordable to consumers. In 2014, Oculus VR released its first consumer VR headset, the Oculus Rift, which sparked a wave of interest in virtual reality.
7. 2020s: Today, virtual reality has become increasingly popular and widely used across various industries, including gaming, education, healthcare, and more. Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to create realistic virtual environments that can be experienced from anywhere.
In conclusion, virtual reality began to gain popularity in the 1990s, with the advent of commercial VR systems and increased interest in the technology for entertainment and training purposes. However, it was not until the 2010s that virtual reality became widely accessible to consumers, thanks to advancements in hardware and software. Today, virtual reality is a rapidly growing industry with countless applications across various sectors.
