Virtual Reality



Ira Narang



Virtual reality is a fun, important technology used a lot in present day. Virtual means near and reality is what we experience in life as humans. The words “virtual reality” essentially means “near reality” and usually refers to reality emulation. Scientists often refer to it as a virtual environment instead of virtual reality.
Virtual reality was first invented in 1957 and was called the Sensorama. It contained a
viewing screen displaying three-dimensional images, speakers, devices which controlled smells, and oscillating fans, or fans that swing back and forth.
In virtual reality, the senses are used in a computer generated environment as though it is happening in real life. A computer generated software can be used to see in a three-dimensional environment without it actually happening. This happens when you use specific systems such as headsets, omni-directional treadmills, and special gloves. Headsets would be used for creating the illusion of an environment around the area to create the view that you would see if you were actually in that place. The images seen are life sized, and special gloves create the illusion of the feeling of what is happening.
One way virtual reality is used is to emulate a trip to Mars. Creators needed to take in account that people cannot see a 360° view while looking forward, they can only see a little less than 180°. They needed to make the program so that the users would be able to turn their head and see the place around them. The creators made the ride to Mars seem bumpy with all of the gear and gloves. Virtual reality can be used for tons of different things such as entertainment, medicine, and fashion.
Although virtual reality is an amazing piece of technology, it can also cause dizziness and/or sickness, such as when reading in a car or when out at sea. If this happens, it is recommended to stop and wait for a few hours.
Virtual reality is the computer programmed virtual environment shown to us in such a way that we think that we were really there. Virtual reality is a really entertaining and complex piece of technology which can also be very useful in things like education. For example, students can see the item being taught in “real” life so they can understand it better.