Get All Access for $5/mo

The History of Augmented and Virtual Reality, From 1838 to the Present (Infographic) You might think virtual reality is a new phenomenon, but it's been around for hundreds of years.

By Matthew McCreary

Westend61 | Getty Images

Augmented and virtual reality are changing the way we see technology, the future and the entire world. However, it might surprise you to learn that these concepts have been around since 1838, when Charles Wheatstone introduced his stereoscope. The stereoscope was a device that allowed a user to look through different holes for each eye, producing two images that would collectively appear larger and three-dimensional.

Similarly, Thomas Edison and William Dickson also invented the kinetoscope in the 19th century, which used a small piece of film and a light bulb to allow users to look through a peephole and watch at 46 frames per second.

You can learn more about the history of augmented and virtual reality by checking out this infographic from HistoryDegree.net, which details not only the technology's past but also its present and future.

Source: History Degree

Matthew McCreary

Entrepreneur Staff

Associate Editor, Contributed Content

Matthew McCreary is the associate editor for contributed content at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Transformed a Graphics Card Company Into an AI Giant: 'One of the Most Remarkable Business Pivots in History'

Here's how Nvidia pivoted its business to explore an emerging technology a decade in advance.

Business News

Want to Start a Business? Skip the MBA, Says Bestselling Author

Entrepreneur Josh Kaufman says that the average person with an idea can go from working a job to earning $10,000 a month running their own business — no MBA required.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Mark Zuckerberg Says He Was an 'Awkward' Leader When Creating Facebook: 'Still Not My Best Thing'

Meta's CEO said being Facebook's founder and leader at age 19 required lots of "feedback loops."