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The First Device
Morton Heilig created the first prototype of a experience theater. It is a machine that plays films while engaging the viewers senses. Heilig created the sensorama, a prototype that had a 3D display screen, stereo speakers and an aroma diffuser. Viewers sat in the contraption and could feel wind because of a clever use of an air tunnel effect. The device was ahead of its time, and it died because it lacked a finical backing. -
The First VR Headset
Ivan Sutherland created the first VR headset "The Sword of Damocles". It was a head mounted display that projected a simple graphic. It had a unique head tracking feature that made it possible to alter the user's viewpoint based on the position of the gaze. The problem was that it was massive and had to be hung from the ceiling instead of worn. -
80's VR
The DataGlove made by Atari's virtual reality division detected hand movements and converted them into electrical signals. The PowerGlove was made by Nintendo but released commercially later. The U.S. Air Force made the Super Cockpit which simulated an actual cockpit to train fighter pilots. NASA developed the VIEW which used the headset and the power glove to sense all motions. -
90's VR
Jonathan Waldern debuted an arcade system that took advantage of VR's immersion capabilities. He created many different realities to explore. Sega made a headset, Forte VFX1 worked with PCs, Nintendo made Nintendo Virtual Boy, and Sony made the Sony Glassroom. -
Oculus Rift
A company named Oculus VR launched a crowdfunding campaign on the site Kickstarter to raise money for the development of a commercial virtual reality headset called the Oculus rift. The buzz surrounding the generating campaign, which raised over 2.5 million dollars, soon caught the attention of many in the tech industry. About a year later, the company was acquired by Facebook for 2 bil. dollars, a move that in effect announced to the world that the technology may indeed be ready for prime time. -
HTC Vive
Hitting the market just recent is the HTC Vive, which has been widely praised for offering one of the best virtual reality experiences out there.The big advantage the Vive has over Oculus rift is the ability to engage the VR field with hands and body as well as your eyes and head.Currently, a selection of 107 games are due to arrive for the virtual reality format. -
Sony PlayStation VR
Not to be outdone by its competitors, Sony announced that it will release its VR device in October. The head-mounted display is designed to work in conjunction with the Sony PlayStation 4 and comes equipped with a 5.7-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz. What the platform has going for it is the wide range of gaming options that the Sony system can deliver. Pre-orders starting at $499, through retailer Gamestop, sold out within minutes.
