Introduction
The beginnings (60s)
In 1960, Morton Heilig designed the Telesphere Mask , considered the first virtual reality helmet in history.
The Telesphere Mask was a stereoscopic viewer with two screens that offered 3D images and stereo sound.
Although it had no motion or interaction sensors, it already proposed the idea of "transporting the user" to another place through images and immersive sound. It was the first time that someone imagined glasses that isolated you from reality to immerse you in a different environment.
Poco después presented the Sensorama (1962) , a machine that sought to stimulate several senses at once: sight, hearing, vibration and even smell!
Although rudimentary, these inventions were the seed of what we know today as Virtual Reality.
Advances in the 80s: science and simulators
In the 80s, NASA and different universities began to use VR as a simulation and training tool. The visors were huge, heavy and expensive, but they allowed pilots and astronauts to practice in controlled environments.
One of the main drivers was Jaron Lanier, founder of VPL Research, one of the first companies to commercialize VR products. His team developed haptic gloves and viewers like the EyePhone (yes, before Apple), which allowed not only to see in 3D, but also to interact with virtual objects through motion sensors.
The graphics were basic, but the potential of the technology was beginning to be felt.
The 90s and the failed boom
The decade of the 90s promised to bring VR to the general public. Companies like Nintendo launched the Virtual Boy (1995) and SEGA tried to develop its own viewer, although it never saw the light of day.
The technology was not ready: the graphics were poor, the devices were uncomfortable and many users suffered from dizziness. It was a commercial failure, but it set a precedent.
Today, Nintendo is reliving that nostalgic stage: from February 17, 2026, several Virtual Boy games will also be available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 through Switch Online. To play them, a special accessory that replicates the original aesthetics of the Virtual Boy will be used.
The Modern Renaissance (2010s)
In 2012, the launch of Oculus Rift on Kickstarter revolutionized the landscape. For the first time, VR offered a real and relatively accessible immersive experience for technology enthusiasts. The project raised millions and attracted the attention of giants like Facebook, which ended up buying Oculus in 2014.
During those first years, many YouTubers and content creators enthusiastically showed their experiences with the Oculus Rift, turning them into an object of desire for fans of the technology. However, outside of that community, adoption was limited: the high price, the need for a powerful PC and the lack of quality content made them somewhat forgotten by the general public.
Even so, they opened the door to the arrival of other big names such as HTC Vive, PlayStation VR or Samsung Gear VR , which consolidated the second great stage of virtual reality.
The present and the future (2020s)
Today Virtual Reality has reached a spectacular graphic quality, with viewers that are increasingly light, powerful and accessible. Models like Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2 or the Apple Vision Pro are setting a new standard in immersion.
In addition, the technology is no longer limited to VR only:
- AR (Augmented Reality): superimposes information and digital objects on the real world, used in areas such as architecture or education.
- MR (Mixed Reality): combines the best of both worlds, allowing virtual elements to interact with the physical environment in real time (example: Apple Vision Pro).
The border between the real and the virtual is blurring more and more, and the future points to more natural, realistic and accessible experiences for all.
Applications beyond entertainment
Although we usually associate VR with video games, its applications go much further:
- Medicine: projects like Osso VR allow surgeons to be trained in complex operations.
- Education: virtual visits to museums such as the Louvre from any classroom.
- Architecture: Studios like Foster + Partners show clients buildings in VR before they are built.
- Professional training: firefighters, police and emergency teams practice simulations in risky environments.
Conclusion
From rudimentary machines like the Sensorama to hyperrealistic experiences like today's, Virtual Reality has traveled a fascinating path. What used to be science fiction is now part of our day to day.
And the best thing is that you no longer need to be an astronaut or an engineer to live it!
In VRoom Escape we invite you to be the protagonist of that evolution.
Come and discover our immersive experiences, where you can move freely around the room and interact with your colleagues and the environment!
The evolution of Virtual Reality continues. Do you dare to be part of it?