Step into the fascinating world of augmented reality (AR), a technology that blends digital information with the real world.
The Genesis: The 1960s
– The seeds of AR were sown in 1968 when Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist, created the “Sword of Damocles.” This head-mounted display (HMD) allowed users to interact with virtual objects in real space.
The First Steps: The 1970s and 1980s
– In 1972, Myron Krueger at the University of California, San Diego, developed “Videoplace,” an early AR system that allowed users to create and manipulate virtual objects in a shared space.
– The term “augmented reality” was coined by Thomas Caudell of Boeing in 1990 while working on a heads-up display for aircraft maintenance.
The Leap Forward: The 1990s and Early 2000s
– In 1992, Louis Rosenberg at the United States Air Force’s Armstrong Laboratory developed “Virtual Fixtures,” an AR system that overlaid virtual tools onto real objects for maintenance tasks.
– In 2000, AR was brought to the masses with the release of Nintendo’s “Pokémon Go”-like game, “Ghostbusters: The Video Game.” This game used AR to bring ghosts into the real world.
The Breakthrough: The Mid-2000s and Beyond
– In 2008, Google introduced “Google Glass,” a wearable device that projected information onto a user’s eye in real time. Although it was discontinued, it paved the way for future AR devices.
– Today, AR is ubiquitous, from smartphone apps like Snapchat’s filters to industrial applications like remote maintenance and training.
FAQs
1. Who invented augmented reality?
– The concept of AR was not invented by a single person but evolved over time with contributions from many researchers and innovators.
2. What is the difference between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)?
– VR creates a completely artificial environment, while AR overlays digital information onto the real world.
As we look to the future, AR promises to revolutionize industries, education, and entertainment. The possibilities are endless, limited only by our imagination.