The evolution of VR

Film On display
Photograph by Egmont Contreras, ACMI.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to use VR. At least, not anymore. While DIY VR devices like Google Cardboard are now common, there was once a time when we needed to visit NASA to experience virtual reality. That time was 1985, when the space agency used VR to train pilots and astronauts. Their prototype used sensors to track the user’s movements so that the artificial reality they saw appeared and responded like real life. Google Cardboard looks less impressive, but its low cost and its ability to work with any smartphone make it possible for even non-astronauts to explore virtual worlds.

Collection

Not in ACMI's collection

On display until

16 February 2031

ACMI: Gallery 1

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

Curatorial section

The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Pictures → MI-08. Immersive Innovations → MI-08-C01

Collected

277203 times

Cite this work on Wikipedia

If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/100541--the-evolution-of-vr/ |title=The evolution of VR |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=21 July 2026 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}