1930
First flight simulator
The Link Trainer, a mock airplane fuselage mounted on a platform, simulates the sensation of flying well enough to train half a million military pilots on safety exercises during WWII.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-flight-simulator-1200x928.jpg)
1962
First computer aided VR efforts
Morton Helig invents the Sesorama, one of the earliest VR systems.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timline-computer-aided-vr-e1579039152622.jpg)
1968
First head-mounted VR display
Ivan Sutherland invents the “Sword of Damocles” – a giant, head-mounted VR display.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-first-headset.jpg)
1978
The first “virtual tour”
A project out of MIT results in a simple virtual tour, called a “movie map”, which allows users to wander the streets of Aspen, Colorado, using computer controls.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-the-first-virtual-tour-1.jpg)
1978
Digital imagery evolves
Out of NASA’s JPLG Lab, David Em uses early image-editing software to create the image “Aku.”
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-digital-imagery-evolves-1.jpg)
1979
Stereoscopic imaging
The Large Expanse, Extra Perspective (LEEP) optical system, created by Eric Howlett, uses a steroscopic image with a wide field of view to lend depth of field and realism to imagery – the basis of later VR imaging.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-stereoscopic-imaging-1.jpg)
1980
“Virtual Reality” coined
Computer Scientist Jaron Lanier founds VPL Research, which develops several early VR devices, and popularizes the term “Virtual Reality.”
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-virtual-reality-coined-1.jpg)
1984
Neuromancer
William Gibson publishes his iconic novel, a science fiction story featuring a Virtual Reality dataspace called the “matrix.”
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-neuromancer-1.jpg)
1985
An online virtual world is born
Habitat, “a massively popular multiplayer role playing game,” was created by Randy Farmar and Chip Morningstar and made available as a beta test by Quantum Link, an online service for the Commodore 64.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-an-online-virtual-world-is-born-1.jpg)
1991
1991-1992: Personal use becomes a reality
The first in-home VR headset, immersive VR movie and functional augmented reality come out of Sega, MIT and NASA – bringing VR one step closer to personal use.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timline-personal-use-becomes-a-reality-1.jpg)
1994
Gaming VR grows more sophisticated
Sega releases the Sega VR-1 motion simulator arcade attraction, which tracks head movement and offers sophisticated graphics in stereoscopic 3D.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-gaming-vr-grows-more-sophisticated-1.jpg)
1999
The Matrix
The film that launched the public fascination with VR and AI is released in theaters and grosses over $460M worldwide.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-the-matrix-1.jpg)
2010
Oculus Rift
Partly based on work done by Mark Bolas at USC, Palmer Luckey designs the first prototype of the Oculus Rift. Later Facebook purchases Oculus VR for $2B.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-oculus-rift-1-1200x801.jpg)
2011
Ready Player One
Book published by Ernest Cline transporting readers into a worldwide Virtual Reality game.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-ready-player-one-1-e1579038993367.jpg)
2013
Low-persistence displays
Valve Corporation shares its breakthrough, low-persistence displays, which enable smear-free VR content.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-low-persistence-displays-1-1200x1116.jpg)
2014
Gaming advances the game
Sony announces Project Morpheus, which becomes the PlayStation VR headset
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-gaming-advances-the-game-1.jpg)
2014
Facebook purchases Oculus VR for $2B
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-facebook-buys-oculus-1.jpg)
2015
Google Cardboard
Google announced the DIY stereoscopic viewer Cardboard, used with a smartphone to enable a personal VR experience
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-google-cardboard-1-1200x725.jpg)
2016
The VR boom is here
As of 2016, there are at least 230 companies developing VR-related products. All of the big new-media players have dedicated AR and VR groups.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-the-vr-boom-is-here-1-1200x987.jpg)
2016
Sensor-based tracking
The first major commercial release of sensor-based tracking in a VR headset is launched with VIVEs StreamVR product.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-sensor-based-tracking-1.jpg)
2017
Enterprise adoption
Walmart becomes the first company to use VR to train 100K+ associates across 200+ Academies.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-enterprise-adoption-1-1200x799.jpg)
2018
Experience on Demand published
Jeremy Bailenson makes 20 years of VR research accessible.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timline-experience-on-demand-published.jpg)
2019
Oculus for Business announced
Facebook starts enterprise-focused VR team.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-oculus-for-business-announced-1.jpg)
2019
Immersive Learning at scale
Walmart training over 1M associates using VR.
![](https://rise-mag.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/timeline-immersive-learning-at-scale-1-1200x676.jpg)