Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR) have transformed from science fiction dreams into cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping industries not exactly education, entertainment, but and much more. The history of VR and AR is a fascinating journey of technological evolution and innovations.

17th Century. Earliest attempt VR is art. There were no direct precursors to modern VR technology, but artists and thinkers began experimenting with immersive environments and visual techniques. For example, panoramic paintings were created in an effort to immerse viewers in a scene by surrounding them with 360-degree visuals.

By the 19th century, inventions like the stereoscope (1838), developed by Sir Charles Wheatstone, used two images to create the illusion of depth and a 3D effect. Though far from VR, this was an early attempt to simulate a visual experience beyond normal perception.

In 1935 there wasn't actual VR technology at the time, but one notable reference is a short story by science fiction writer Stanley G. Weinbaum titled Pygmalion’s Spectacles. In this story, Weinbaum described a pair of goggles that allowed the wearer to experience a fictional world with sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch—what would later be known as virtual reality. This was one of the earliest conceptions of VR in literature, predating any real technological developments.

The first idea appeared in 1950. But in a 1955,American cinematographer and inventor Morton Heilig Offsite Link described his vision of a multi-sensory theater paper entitled "The Cinema of the Future."

Almost ten years later in 1962 Morton Helig patented, and then built a prototype of his vision the Sensorama, a device that simulated a bike ride through Brooklyn. The Sensorama synchronized sight, sound, smell, and movement to create for the user an overwhelmingly realistic afternoon in New York City. Helig's ideas never received the financial support needed to develop the technology.

By the 1960s, computer scientists developed the first head-mounted display (HMD) system in 1968, known as The Sword of Damocles. It was bulky and limited in functionality, but it was a significant step toward the VR systems we know today.

In 1968, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist and early pioneer in computer graphics, created the first head-mounted display (HMD) system called The Sword of Damocles. It was connected to a computer and allowed users to view simple wireframe images in 3D. This is considered one of the most significant early developments in the VR field.

NASA’s initial interest in VR-like systems started in the 1970s with the use of simulations and computer graphics to improve astronaut training. The 1970s exploration was more experimental, while the 1980s saw the development of practical systems for VR research.

Significant VR projects, like the one at the NASA-Ames Research Center, were fully realized in the 1980s, with the system to being completed in 1985. Project was designed to test ways of presenting visual information to pilots or astronauts, by creating a computer-generated image of an artificial reality.

A notable figure during this time was Myron Krueger, who developed artificial reality systems in the 1970s. His work focused on interaction within a virtual environment through systems like Videoplace (1975), which used cameras and computer graphics to create real-time interaction between a user and digital elements projected onto a screen. Krueger’s work is an early example of interactive VR experiences.

The 1980s marked a period of rapid advancements in VR technology. Jaron Lanier, founder of VPL Research, coined the term "virtual reality." VPL Research was one of the first companies to sell VR equipment, such as the DataGlove (used for tracking hand movements) and the EyePhone HMD. This era sparked significant interest in VR across various sectors, from gaming to medicine.

In the 1990s, VR became more accessible to the general public. Companies like Sega and Nintendo attempted to bring VR to the gaming world. Although devices like Sega's VR headset and Nintendo’s Virtual Boy didn’t achieve commercial success, they played a crucial role in keeping the concept alive and setting the stage for future developments.

Augmented Reality: Enhancing the Real World

While VR was evolving, the concept of augmented reality (AR) also began taking shape. AR differs from VR in that it overlays digital content onto the real world, rather than creating an entirely separate environment. Early AR systems were developed in the 1990s, primarily for military and industrial applications. One of the first significant milestones in AR came in 1992 when Louis Rosenberg developed the Virtual Fixtures system, which used robotics to overlay digital information onto physical spaces for enhanced productivity.

The 2000s saw a surge in VR and AR technologies. In 2012, Oculus VR launched a Kickstarter for the Oculus Rift headset, which reignited worldwide interest in virtual reality. Companies like HTC, Sony, and Valve soon followed with their own headsets, leading to a new era of VR for gaming, education, and industry.

In 2016, Pokémon Go brought augmented reality (AR) into mainstream culture by allowing millions of smartphone users to interact with digital objects in the real world. Since then, tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple have heavily invested in AR technology, with products like Google Glass, Microsoft HoloLens, and Apple’s ARKit.

VR and AR Today

Today, both VR and AR have evolved into powerful tools that are no longer just for gaming. These technologies are used in industries like healthcare, architecture, retail, and education, allowing professionals to simulate environments, train more effectively, and create new interactive experiences.

From their humble beginnings to the advanced systems we see today, the history of virtual and augmented reality is a testament to human creativity and technological progress. The journey is far from over, and the future promises even more exciting developments.