The question of when was virtual reality headset invented does not have a single answer; the earliest widely cited milestones are Morton Heilig’s Sensorama, first patented in the 1950s and usually dated to 1962, and Ivan Sutherland and Bob Sproull’s Sword of Damocles in 1968, which Guinness World Records identifies as the first VR headset. The first commercial VR headset followed much later, launched by VPL Research in 1987, marking the shift from research prototypes to a product you could buy.
Early concepts for when virtual reality headsets were invented
The foundation for virtual reality headsets was laid in the 19th century with the stereoscope, developed by Sir Charles Wheatstone in the late 1820s. This device presented two separate images to each eye, creating the perception of depth through stereoscopic vision. While not a headset itself, the stereoscope established the principle of stereoscopic display that every VR headset still relies on to create a convincing 3D environment.
Invention of the Sensorama (1962)
Morton Heilig, an American filmmaker and inventor, created the Sensorama in the early 1960s after patenting its core concepts in the 1950s. This arcade-style machine was a multisensory experience that included a stereoscopic display, surround sound, haptic feedback through a vibrating seat, and sensory effects like fans that simulated wind. Users sat in front of the Sensorama and watched short films, such as a motorcycle ride through city streets, while feeling vibrations, hearing spatial audio, and even smelling scents. The Sensorama included scents as part of its sensory effects. Despite its innovative combination of senses, the Sensorama was not a head-mounted display and did not track user head movements, limiting its immersion compared to later designs.
Development of the Sword of Damocles (1968)
In 1968, computer scientist Ivan Sutherland, working with Bob Sproull at the University of Utah, created the Sword of Damocles, which Guinness World Records recognizes as the first virtual reality headset. The device was a head-mounted display suspended from the ceiling by a mechanical arm to support its considerable weight. The Sword of Damocles used a harness attached to the ceiling to support its weight on the user's head. It used transparent cathode-ray tube monitors to overlay computer-generated stereoscopic images onto the real world, and crucially, it tracked the user's head movements via mechanical linkages, adjusting the displayed view accordingly. Although the Sword of Damocles was heavy, uncomfortable, and had low-resolution graphics, it introduced the two essential features of modern VR headsets: stereoscopic 3D display and head-tracking.
The birth of the first commercial VR headset (1987)
VPL Research, co-founded by Jaron Lanier, launched the world's first commercial virtual reality headset in 1987. Known as the "EyePhone," this headset marked the transition from university research labs to a product available for purchase. The first commercial VR headset from VPL Research was specifically named the 'EyePhone' and launched in 1989. VPL Research's commercial headset built on the earlier concepts of stereoscopic displays and head-tracking, packaging them into a system that could be sold to researchers, developers, and early adopters. This launch opened the door for subsequent commercial VR systems and established the market that would later include devices like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR. Today, if you are setting up a modern headset, you will find that a typical VR setup and TV casting process still relies on the same core principles of stereoscopic vision and positional tracking that were pioneered in these early milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual reality headset?
A virtual reality headset is a device worn over the head that immerses the user in a simulated 3D environment by delivering stereoscopic visuals to each eye and spatial audio, while using sensors to track head movements and update the view in real time.
Who invented the first virtual reality headset?
Jaron Lanier later co-founded VPL Research, which introduced the first commercial VR headset in 1987.
How do virtual reality headsets work?
VR headsets use a stereoscopic display to show slightly different images to each eye, creating depth perception. Sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sometimes external cameras track the user's head position and orientation, so the rendered scene shifts naturally as the user looks around, producing an immersive and interactive experience.
What were the key limitations of early VR headsets?
The Sensorama was not head-mounted and lacked head-tracking. The Sword of Damocles was extremely heavy, suspended from the ceiling, and had very low display resolution. Early commercial headsets from VPL Research were still bulky and expensive, limiting their use to research and specialized applications.
What are some popular virtual reality headset brands?
Oculus, HTC Vive, Sony PlayStation VR, Samsung Gear VR.
