Virtual Reality: My first Metaverse in 1972 with the View-Master and further development over the 90s until today (Konrad Wolfenstein)

It was 1972 when I first entered the Metaverse as a little boy. However, it wasn't a state-of-the-art VR headset or a powerful computer that gave me access. It was a simple View-Master that took me into a world of adventure.

The View-Master was a device that contained small round disks with images. You inserted them into the device, looked through the two eyepieces and were able to view a 3D representation of the images. It was fascinating to me how I could suddenly immerse myself in distant lands and fantastic worlds without leaving my own home.

Years passed and technology evolved. The simple view masters became immersive VR glasses and impressive XR systems. The Metaverse became more real and accessible than ever before. People could now immerse themselves in these virtual worlds with their own bodies and interact with other participants.

When I finally put on modern VR glasses one day, I was reminded of my beginnings with the View-Master. The connection to the past was palpable. Although the technology had advanced, it still had the same fascination that I had experienced as a young boy.

In modern times, the Metaverse has become a global community where people from all corners of the world come together to play, learn, and have new experiences. It has fundamentally changed the way we communicate, learn and work.

And as I delve into the Metaverse today, I think back to my first adventure with the View-Master. I remember how a simple device sparked my imagination and took me to unknown worlds. It was the beginning of my journey into virtual reality, which now continues through advanced XR technology.

The Metaverse may have changed, but the enchantment and magic it holds can still be felt. It's a world where dreams come true and where the boundaries of our imagination blur. And I'm grateful that I can be a part of it - be it with a simple View-Master from the 70s or with the most modern XR technologies of our time.

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From playing with the View-Master to groundbreaking virtual reality technology and beyond - a journey through virtual worlds and useful applications.

It all started with the View-Master, a simple device that allowed us to immerse ourselves in fascinating 3D worlds in the 70s. For many of us back then, it was purely a toy, a tool to stimulate our imagination and immerse ourselves in distant places without having to leave our homes. But this playful experience had a profound impact on us, laying the foundation for a technology that would make astonishing advances in the decades to come.

With the development of virtual reality (VR), the potential of the View-Master has been taken to a new dimension. Instead of just looking at 3D images, we could now fully immerse ourselves in virtual worlds and experience them with our own senses. VR glasses and systems allowed us to move freely in these worlds, interact with them and experience fantastic adventures.

But while gaming in virtual worlds is undoubtedly immersive and entertaining, it's important to recognize that VR technology enables much more than just gaming. It has the potential to have a lasting impact on and improve our society and various areas of life.

Education is an area where VR offers useful applications. Imagine if students could experience historical events up close or explore complex scientific concepts in an interactive environment. With VR they can explore museums, historical sites or even space as if they were physically there. These immersive learning experiences can promote interest and understanding and take teaching to new levels.

But VR has also made an important contribution to medicine. Surgeons can use VR technology to simulate complex operations in advance and prepare for difficult procedures. Patients can also take part in rehabilitation programs from home using virtual reality and support their recovery. VR provides a safe and controlled environment to research new treatments and advance medical progress.

In addition, VR has also found its way into architecture and design. With VR, architects and designers can present their designs in an immersive environment and allow clients to explore these virtual spaces before implementing them physically. This saves time, costs and resources and allows for a more accurate idea of ​​what a finished project will look like.

In addition to these useful areas of application, it is important to find the balance between playful experience and concrete added value. Games and entertainment remain an important aspect of VR, allowing us to relax, express our creativity and explore new worlds. However, these experiences should not only serve as an end in themselves, but also drive development and offer added value.

VR technology has evolved enormously since the View-Master's beginnings in 1972. Today's XR (augmented reality) technology integrates VR with other elements such as augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) to create even more immersive and realistic experiences. These technologies open up new possibilities for collaborative work, remote communication, virtual travel and much more.

As we move further into the future, it is critical that we recognize the opportunities and challenges of VR and XR technology and use them wisely. Whether in education, medicine, architecture or other fields, virtual worlds can help us push the boundaries of what is possible and enrich our experiences. Let's use play to explore and learn, while ensuring we drive development to create real value.

Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) are two terms that are often mentioned in connection with immersive virtual worlds. Although they may seem similar at first glance, there are still some important differences between them.

Virtual reality refers to a technology that allows users to immerse themselves in a completely virtual environment. By using VR glasses and other input devices, users can immerse themselves in an artificial world visually, auditorily and sometimes tactilely. This virtual environment is often created using 3D models and specially developed VR applications. VR can offer a wide range of experiences, be it immersion in games, virtual travel, training simulations or other applications.

The Metaverse, on the other hand, is a broader concept. It refers to a networked collection of virtual worlds that can be accessed and explored by different users at the same time. In the Metaverse, these virtual worlds are connected and enable seamless interaction and communication between participants. So it's not just about having an isolated VR experience, but rather a rich, collaborative and immersive virtual world.

Another important difference is that the Metaverse is not just limited to VR. It also includes other immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). AR blends digital content into the real world, while MR mixes elements from the real and virtual worlds. The Metaverse integrates these different technologies, allowing users to switch between different reality modes and interact in a hybrid environment.

Another aspect that differentiates the Metaverse from VR is the idea of ​​persistence and permanent existence. In the Metaverse, virtual worlds can continually grow, develop and be shaped by participants. It is an ever-changing and expanding virtual reality shaped by its community. In contrast, VR experiences are often limited to predefined content and applications created by developers.

The concept of the Metaverse has gained popularity in recent years as more companies and technology pioneers work in this direction. The idea of ​​living, working, playing and communicating in a shared virtual world has the potential to fundamentally change the way we interact and expand the boundaries of our reality.

Ultimately, one could say that VR is part of the Metaverse, while the Metaverse is a broader vision of connected, immersive and interactive virtual worlds. While VR enables the experience of immersion in a virtual environment, the Metaverse strives to create an immersive digital reality that complements and expands our physical reality.

The Metaverse and XR technology are closely linked and together form the basis for immersive virtual experiences. XR stands for “Extended Reality” and refers to a collection of technologies that extend or alter reality by combining virtual and real elements.

XR technology includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). VR allows users to immerse themselves in and interact with a completely virtual environment. AR, on the other hand, inserts digital content into the real world, while MR is a combination of real and virtual elements, creating a seamless fusion of the real and virtual worlds.

The Metaverse is an extension of XR technology as it represents a networked collection of virtual worlds that can be accessed and explored by different users at the same time. The Metaverse allows users to immerse themselves in these virtual worlds, explore them, interact with other users, and perform activities together. It is an enhanced form of XR experience that blurs the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds, creating a deeply immersive environment.

XR technology is the foundation for the Metaverse as it provides the tools and infrastructure to create and experience these virtual worlds. VR glasses and headsets allow users to immerse themselves in virtual environments and explore them with their senses. AR glasses and mobile devices open up new possibilities by inserting digital content into the real world and providing contextual information.

The Metaverse leverages XR technology to create an immersive and interactive experience that goes far beyond what is possible with traditional media. It opens up new ways of communicating, collaborating, learning and entertaining. Users can meet in virtual conferences, collaborate on projects, receive virtual training, take virtual trips, and more.

The connection between the Metaverse and XR technology offers a wide range of possible applications. Companies can create virtual stores and showrooms where customers can experience and test products before purchasing them. In medicine, doctors and surgeons can simulate complex operations and research new treatment methods. In education, students can conduct virtual experiments, recreate historical events, and experience abstract concepts in a tangible environment.

XR technology is therefore a central component of the Metaverse, as it forms the technological basis for its existence and functionality. It allows us to expand the boundaries of our reality, explore virtual worlds and create immersive experiences. The Metaverse builds on this technology and opens up a new dimension of interaction between humans and virtual reality.

The View-Master, an iconic device that takes us into the fascinating world of 3D images, was first developed in 1939 by William Gruber (born in Munich in 1903) and Harold Graves. Originally designed as a children's toy, the View-Master quickly gained popularity and became a timeless classic.

In the 1970s, the View-Master reached a peak of popularity. At that time there were a variety of reels made specifically for the View-Master. These Reels included images of well-known landmarks, natural landscapes, animals, and even characters from popular TV shows and movies. Viewing these 3D images was an exciting and fascinating experience for many people. They were able to immerse themselves in the different scenes and feel like they were actually there.

The development of the View-Master and 3D images led to the emergence of a new form of entertainment. But it would be many years before technology advanced to the point where it could immerse us in immersive virtual worlds.

With the advent of the Internet and technological advances in the 1990s, the possibilities of virtual reality (VR) slowly began to unfold. Big companies like Sega and Atari experimented with VR headsets, trying to create a realistic and immersive experience. However, these early VR systems were often heavy, expensive, and technically limited, limiting their adoption.

Only in the last few years have we seen a breakthrough in the development of VR technology. Companies like Oculus (founded in 2012) have developed VR headsets that are lighter, more affordable and more powerful than ever before. The introduction of powerful processors and graphics cards allows users to enter high-resolution virtual worlds and enjoy an immersive experience.

The development of VR technology has led to a new era of applications and uses. VR is no longer just used for gaming and entertainment, but has also found its way into areas such as education, medicine, architecture, tourism and training.

In education, students can use VR to take virtual trips and experience historical events up close. You can delve into the past, explore foreign cultures and explore complex concepts in an interactive environment. These immersive learning experiences promote learner engagement, understanding and creativity.

VR has also made great progress in medicine. Surgeons can use VR technology to simulate complex operations in advance and prepare for difficult procedures. Patients can receive pain-free distraction and support with rehabilitation using VR glasses. VR also offers opportunities for treating anxiety disorders, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the field of architecture and design, architects and designers can present their designs in a virtual environment and give clients the opportunity to explore these spaces before they are physically implemented. This enables better visualization and communication of ideas and helps to identify errors or misunderstandings at an early stage.

The advancement of VR technology has also led to the emergence of augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). These technologies expand the real world with virtual objects or information and thus enable even more diverse areas of application. From augmented reality games to virtual travel to industrial applications such as machine repair and maintenance, AR and MR offer endless possibilities.

Overall, VR technology has evolved enormously since the View-Master's beginnings in 1939. Today's virtual reality offers us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in immersive worlds and have new experiences. Although the technology is still evolving and presenting new challenges, one thing is clear: VR has the potential to enrich and transform our lives in many ways. From entertainment to education to medicine and beyond, there are countless applications for this exciting technology.

In the 1990s, virtual reality (VR) experienced an emerging hype that captured the imagination of people worldwide. It was an exciting time as technology advanced and the prospect of immersive virtual experiences became within reach. Arcades became pilgrimage sites for gaming enthusiasts wanting to try out the latest VR devices.

One of the most famous VR experiences of this time was the Sega VR Headset, which was released in 1993. The headset promised a fully immersive experience in the gaming world. Using sensors and displays, it was able to track the player's head movements and transmit them to the virtual environment in real time. It became a symbol of technological progress and aroused high expectations among players.

Nintendo Virtual Boy – Image: ncppltd|Shutterstock.com

Nintendo didn't want to miss out on the VR trend either and presented the Virtual Boy System in 1995. Although it wasn't a headset, but rather a kind of portable console with a monochrome display, the Virtual Boy was a pioneer for its time. However, the device was not a success due to its cumbersome operation and monochrome graphics, which made some players uncomfortable.

VR's influence in the 90s wasn't just limited to the gaming world. Films like Lawnmower Man (1992) and The Matrix (1999) captivated audiences with futuristic depictions of virtual reality. These films presented visions of a digital world where people could immerse themselves in an alternate reality and gain extraordinary abilities.

Despite the great hype surrounding VR in the 90s, expectations were ultimately not met. The technology was not yet sophisticated enough, the devices were expensive and cumbersome, and many games and applications could not meet high expectations. As a result, the hype around VR died down in the early 2000s and the technology temporarily faded into the background.

However, the VR trend in the 90s laid the foundation for future developments. The experiences and insights of this time were valuable lessons for the further development of VR technologies. Today, more than two decades later, virtual reality is experiencing a renaissance. Advances in hardware, such as powerful graphics cards and high-resolution displays, as well as innovative software and applications, have led to a new era of VR experience.

The hype surrounding VR in the 90s may not have yielded the expected results, but it undoubtedly paved the way for today's VR landscape. The dream of an immersive virtual future that pop culture conjured up in the '90s is now becoming a reality for developers, companies and enthusiasts around the world. VR has the potential to not only revolutionize the gaming world, but also open up new possibilities in areas such as education, medicine, architecture and entertainment.

The concept of the metaverse has become increasingly important in recent years and is seen as a possible next step in virtual development. It encompasses a non-physical reality that allows people to explore, interact, and transact digital worlds. Three areas have developed within the metaverse that are particularly important for the economy: the industrial metaverse, the business metaverse and the e-commerce metaverse. Each of these areas has its own characteristics and differences.

1. Industrial Metaverse

The Industrial Metaverse refers to the use of metaverse technologies in industrial applications and processes. Companies can use the metaverse to simulate and optimize virtual factories, production facilities or systems. It enables teams in different locations to collaborate virtually, inspect and maintain assets remotely, and train employees in safe and realistic virtual environments. The Industrial Metaverse thus offers increased efficiencies, cost savings and improved ways of working for companies in various industries such as manufacturing, construction or energy generation.

2. Business Metaverse

The Business Metaverse focuses on using the Metaverse for business purposes. This is about creating virtual offices, conference rooms and work environments where employees can collaborate remotely. The Business Metaverse enables companies to hold meetings and events in an immersive environment where participants can use their digital avatars. It also offers the opportunity to present products and services virtually and enable customer interactions in a realistic environment. The Business Metaverse is revolutionizing the way companies work by breaking the boundaries of the traditional office setting and creating new opportunities for global collaboration.

3. E-Commerce Metaverse

The e-commerce metaverse refers to the use of the metaverse in the area of ​​electronic commerce. Virtual marketplaces and stores are created here where consumers can buy products and services. The e-commerce metaverse enables an immersive and interactive shopping experience where customers can use their digital avatars to explore virtual stores and view products from different perspectives. It also offers the ability to present personalized recommendations and tailored offers based on individual user behavior. The e-commerce metaverse opens up new sales channels for companies and creates a unique shopping experience for consumers.

➡️ These three areas of the Metaverse - the Industrial Metaverse, the Business Metaverse and the E-Commerce Metaverse - are all important developments that make non-physical reality a serious development for business. Each area offers unique opportunities and benefits for companies in different industries. While the Industrial Metaverse enables efficiencies and cost savings in production, the Business Metaverse enables global collaboration and the E-Commerce Metaverse creates an interactive and personalized shopping experience for consumers. As the metaverse continues to evolve, these areas are expected to continue to grow, creating new opportunities for companies to thrive in the virtual world.

The Metaverse has the potential to usher in a new era of interaction between the digital and physical worlds. It goes beyond mere entertainment and offers a wide range of applications where digital and real elements interact synergistically. Below are 10 exciting application examples that illustrate the enormous potential of the metaverse:

1. Education and training

The Metaverse can serve as an interactive learning environment where students can visit virtual classrooms, visualize complex concepts, and gain hands-on experience in immersive simulations.

2. Telepresence and remote work

The Metaverse allows people from different parts of the world to collaborate virtually, hold meetings, and present themselves in a shared environment to increase a sense of presence and collaboration.

3. Architecture and Design

Architects and designers can use the Metaverse to create virtual models of buildings and spaces, present to clients and make adjustments in real time. This allows for an immersive and realistic vision of the final project.

4. Tourism and travel

The Metaverse allows people to virtually explore destinations, visit historic sites and have cultural experiences without being physically present. This opens up new opportunities for the tourism sector and enables barrier-free travel.

5. Healthcare and Medicine

The Metaverse can be used for medical training, virtual surgeries and the treatment of phobias and anxiety disorders. It also offers the possibility for telemedicine consultations and monitoring of patients remotely.

6. Art and Creativity

Artists and creatives can use the Metaverse to create virtual works of art, hold exhibitions and create interactive experiences. It opens new avenues for collaboration and access to artworks worldwide.

7. Trade and e-commerce

Companies can use the Metaverse to open virtual stores where customers can explore and purchase products in an immersive environment. It enables personalized shopping experiences and a close connection between customers and brands.

8. Entertainment and Gaming

The Metaverse offers endless possibilities for interactive games, virtual concerts, movie screenings and other forms of entertainment. It creates a deep and social experience for the players and spectators.

9. Sports and fitness

The Metaverse allows people to engage in sporting activities, participate in competitions and interact with other participants in virtual environments. It also offers the opportunity to offer personalized fitness programs and increase motivation for an active life.

10. Social interaction and community

The Metaverse enables people to meet in virtual worlds, find new friends, take part in events and exchange ideas with like-minded people. It creates a global community and promotes collaboration and cultural exchange.

➡️ These 10 application examples show just a small insight into the diverse possibilities of the metaverse. As this technology continues to be developed and established, new and exciting areas of application will emerge that will have a lasting impact on our daily lives in the digital and physical world.