Many believe the metaverse will help shape a new digital future.
But contrary to popular belief, the metaverse dates back almost 200 years.
A short history of the metaverse ๐งต
But contrary to popular belief, the metaverse dates back almost 200 years.
A short history of the metaverse ๐งต
1838
Sir Charles Wheatstone outlined the concept of "binocular vision," where you combine two images, one for each eye, to make a single 3D image.
Sir Charles Wheatstone outlined the concept of "binocular vision," where you combine two images, one for each eye, to make a single 3D image.
1935
American science fiction writer Stanley Weinbaum published the book Pygmalionโs Spectacles. The main character explores a fictional world using a pair of goggles that provide sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch.
American science fiction writer Stanley Weinbaum published the book Pygmalionโs Spectacles. The main character explores a fictional world using a pair of goggles that provide sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch.
1956
American filmmaker Morton Heiling builds the Sensorama, a machine that simulated the experience of riding a motorcycle through New York City via a 3D movie, vibrating chair, fan, and smells.
American filmmaker Morton Heiling builds the Sensorama, a machine that simulated the experience of riding a motorcycle through New York City via a 3D movie, vibrating chair, fan, and smells.
1970s
MIT created the Aspen Movie Map, which enabled users to take a computer-generated tour of Aspen, Colorado.
MIT created the Aspen Movie Map, which enabled users to take a computer-generated tour of Aspen, Colorado.
1984
American computer scientist, musician and VR pioneer Jaron Lanier found VPL Research, Inc., which developed one of the first virtual reality handsets and data gloves.
American computer scientist, musician and VR pioneer Jaron Lanier found VPL Research, Inc., which developed one of the first virtual reality handsets and data gloves.
1992
American sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson coins the term metaverse in his book Snow Crash, which depicts a dystopian future world where rich people escape into an alternative 3D-connected reality.
American sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson coins the term metaverse in his book Snow Crash, which depicts a dystopian future world where rich people escape into an alternative 3D-connected reality.
1990s
Sega introduced VR arcade machines like the SEGA VR-1 motion simulator, which users enjoyed in many arcades.
Sega introduced VR arcade machines like the SEGA VR-1 motion simulator, which users enjoyed in many arcades.
1998
Sportsvision broadcast the first live NFL game with a yellow yard marker, and the idea of overlaying graphics over real-world views quickly spread to other sports broadcasting.
Sportsvision broadcast the first live NFL game with a yellow yard marker, and the idea of overlaying graphics over real-world views quickly spread to other sports broadcasting.
2003
Linden Lab unveils Second Life, a shared 3D virtual space that allows users to explore, interact with others, build things, and exchange virtual goods.
Linden Lab unveils Second Life, a shared 3D virtual space that allows users to explore, interact with others, build things, and exchange virtual goods.
2006
Roblox allows users to create and play massively multiplayer games developed by other users.
Roblox allows users to create and play massively multiplayer games developed by other users.
2007
Google augments Maps with Street View, which allows people to explore a virtual representation of the real world at scale.
Google augments Maps with Street View, which allows people to explore a virtual representation of the real world at scale.
2011
Ernest Cline publishes the futuristic novel Ready Player One.
Ernest Cline publishes the futuristic novel Ready Player One.
2012
American entrepreneur Palmer Luckey launches the Oculus on Kickstarter as the first low-cost 3D hardware for the masses.
American entrepreneur Palmer Luckey launches the Oculus on Kickstarter as the first low-cost 3D hardware for the masses.
2016
Pokemon GO introduces the world to augmented reality games overlaid on the real world.
Pokemon GO introduces the world to augmented reality games overlaid on the real world.
2016
Microsoftโs HoloLens headsets hit the market in, which gave us mixed reality (AR and VR) for the first time.
Microsoftโs HoloLens headsets hit the market in, which gave us mixed reality (AR and VR) for the first time.
2017
Swedish furniture giant IKEA joined the metaverse mix with their innovative Place app, which allows you to select a piece of furniture and view what it looks like in your home or office.
Swedish furniture giant IKEA joined the metaverse mix with their innovative Place app, which allows you to select a piece of furniture and view what it looks like in your home or office.
2020
Apple added Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) to iPhones and iPads, creating better depth scanning for better photos and AR.
Apple added Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) to iPhones and iPads, creating better depth scanning for better photos and AR.
2021
Facebook's parent company rebrands itself as Meta and promulgates an upbeat and expansive vision for the metaverse.
Facebook's parent company rebrands itself as Meta and promulgates an upbeat and expansive vision for the metaverse.
2023
Today, not only companies but countries are joining the metaverse, hoping to build entire virtual cities there.
Today, not only companies but countries are joining the metaverse, hoping to build entire virtual cities there.
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