The evolution of VR Industry- Where it all started!
I remember watching the Matrix when it first came out back in 1999. Completely amazed by the experience, I never thought the Storyline could have an impact on me as much as it did. Everything about it was iconic — the costumes, the glasses, the action, the dialogues, and of course, Keanu Reeves. For many, however, the major highlight of the movie was the Technology — and how they created a Virtual World back when ‘Virtual’ wasn’t even a possibility.
Personally speaking, I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing back then. I still remember myself imagining a scenario when it would actually happen in real life.
Fast forward years later and the movie has become somewhat of a real-life play? Yes, that sounds crazy but, the ‘technology’ became what we now know as ‘Virtual Reality (or Mixed Reality if you may). And its impact spread far away from just movies.
From designing and manufacturing to showcasing and selling, everything can be easily done by Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. But did you know where they come from? What is the origin of the biggest trend of the 21st century?
The industry has its inception way back 86 years ago. Let see how this stirring industry has crafted its way to the top of the game :
The 1935 era
The first evidence of the booming VR industry can be found in the literary book of Pygmalion spectacle written by Stanley G. Weinbaum which was a comprehensive take on the VR world.
The Pygmalion spectacle was one of the first iconic projects of Guttenberg, (the man who invented the printing press)
The storyline has revolutionized the concept of hologram spectacles where the main character was introduced to an eccentric scientist who showed him his latest invention on goggles. A goggle through which one can emit sound, smell and talk in the shadows and create one’s world.
Sensorama era
After the literature account, there was tremendous growth in the world of theatre. The device Sensorama turned out to be a stepping stone. The invention was developed by Morton Heilig.
Sensorama was established to maximize the 3d dimensional experience. It was created to establish the effect of a theatre where users can experience sound, music and can feel the emitting smells. A theatre experience like never before,
The Sensorama experience created a strong thunderbolt among the audience’s minds and perceptions.
SWORD OF DAMOCLES
Ivan Sutherland turned out to be the pioneer in the VR industry. He changed the outlook of the virtual industry. Ivan Sutherland with his student created a model which was popularized as Sword of Damocles which led to a huge beneficiary in the army department The benefits of Sword of Damocles it helped in positioning tracking, eye tracking, and finger tracking. Virtual headsets turned out to be a strong asset in the military region.
Virtual headsets helped them to track GPS locations and help them analyze terrorist movements and actions.
Travel -Tech Collaboration
In 1978, the first remote travel experience was invented where people can experience different parts of the world without even stepping into those places.
The remote travel experience had a strong impression on the minds of the people which led to the boom in the travel industry. The virtual headset helped them to tap into a world which they have never seen before. Travel headsets encouraged people to step through uncharted territory and explore different lands and avenues.
The Influx in Game Industry
The VR industry is a strong boom in the game industry where game developers and game designers had a keen eye on the virtual industry.
Many entrepreneurs understood the growing importance of VR in the gaming industry.
The first PlayStation was launched in 1994 (Japan)
Sony’s PlayStation was a doorway to the world of gaming and many enthusiasts developed their fascination to explore the world of gaming. The cool-tech gain envisioned the world in such a way that it enthralled the public’s perception towards the growing vibrant careers in this industry which was never heard of before.
VR a strong savior in Medicare Industry
The invention of devices on PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress disorder) aided many medical practitioners. Virtual reality has helped the psychiatrist to understand the complex brain hemisphere.
Virtual reality has helped in understanding complex human behavior to help them deal with their cognitive behavior.
Currently, The industry has been evolving for the last 20 years. It has helped medical practitioners, dental surgeons to perform better medical procedures.
The Google Era
In 2007, Google announced Street View, which changed the course of Virtual reality. Street View has led to the overview of on-street location which aids google users to get valid information about the streets they are roaming.
Facebook Acquired Oculus
Facebook acquired Oculus in 2014, which produces virtual headsets.
In 2014, the company partnered with Samsung to work on manufacturing Samsung VR for Samsung Galaxy phones.
In August 2020, Facebook Connect and Facebook VR and AR team were named Facebook reality lab.
The Future of VR Industry
For many years, people have been using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality but it got its wider importance during the covid pandemic, many businesses adopted VR tools to get closer to their audience and ease the buying-selling journey.
Businesses used AR Try Ons to offer real-time Virtual Trials of different things like Jewellery, Clothes, Shoes, etc, Virtual Reality Tours to offer fully guided 360 VR tours of properties and places to prospects, Virtual events to entertain audience even in those conditions, AR Collaboration tools to design and manufacture industrial elements and more.
No doubt that Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality saved us from falling during the pandemic, but now we are obsessed with it.
People are exploring AR/VR on their own because of the level of ease it offers and uniqueness. And mark my words they will keep exploring and adopting….
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