Augmented Reality history: Did you know it goes back 50 years?

Written by Marco Santana .

Augmented reality history goes back further than most people know.

Did you know that one of the first augmented reality devices launched in 1968? Did you know that Boeing used augmented reality to train pilots in the early 1990s? It's true.

With the advancement of augmented reality technology and the growth in adoption in recent years, it might be easy to forget that this emerging and fast-growing technology dates back to the mid-1900s.

Let’s take a stroll through time with the 7 greatest moments in AR history.

1. Augmented reality history, 1968: The Sword of Damocles.

We start our look at augmented reality history with The Sword of Damocles, which was one of the first augmented reality (AR) devices.

The device was created by Ivan Sutherland at the University of Utah . It was a head-mounted display that projected computer-generated images onto a prism mounted in front of the user's eyes.

2. Augmented reality history, 1992: Boeing Aerospace.

Now a staple in military training, augmented reality history shows that Boeing first used AR to help train pilots on how to operate new aircraft.

As Orlando is one of the deepest ecosystems in modeling, simulation, and training, augmented reality has made strides in Central Florida.

Boeing’s system projected computer-generated images of the cockpit onto the pilot's visor, which allowed them to practice operating the aircraft in a realistic environment.

3. Augmented reality history, 1994: NASA's Virtual Environment Research.

Another Central Florida organization, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration , has a spot in augmented reality history by using it to help astronauts train for spacewalks.

The system projected computer-generated images of the International Space Station onto the astronaut's visor, which allowed them to practice repairing the ISS in a realistic environment.

4. Augmented reality history, 2008: BMW Augmented Reality Print Advertisement.

Perhaps one of the industries that has used more AR than most is advertising. In the late 2000s, BMW used AR in a print advertisement that allowed users to see a 3D model of a new car when they looked at the ad through their phone.

This implementation made augmented reality history as one of the first examples of AR being used in a commercial setting.

5. Augmented reality history, 2011: Snapchat.

Now a staple in augmented reality for consumers, Snap Inc. introduced its AR lens features more than a decade ago.

The features allow users to overlay computer-generated images onto their surroundings. As common as this seems now, this feature makes augmented reality history because it allows users to create a variety of AR experiences, such as games, filters, and animations.

6. Augmented reality history, 2016: Pokémon GO.

Augmented reality history was made as recently as 2016, when the phenomenon known as Pokémon GO debuted and was credited with getting people out and about, exercising while chasing virtual characters that were already beloved by the masses.

It was one of the first AR games in augmented reality history to become a global phenomenon.

The game uses AR to overlay Pokémon characters onto the real world, which allows users to catch Pokémon in their own neighborhoods.

For more ways on how Pokemon Go impacted the AR industry check out our newsletter from last week.

7. Augmented reality history, 2020: Magic Leap One.

Commercial augmented reality headsets still have not made the impact that they certainly will shortly. However, when Magic Leap One was released commercially in 2020, it certainly reset the market.

The headset projects computer-generated images onto a transparent display, which allows users to see AR content overlaid on the real world.

These are just a few of the many great moments in augmented reality history. As AR technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting applications of AR in the future.

Thank you for reading, please do us a favor by liking and sharing this Newsletter if you learned something about AR history!

Interested in learning how AR makes reading books immersive? Click here.