From the Latin virtus (“strength” or “virtue”), virtual is an adjective that, in its original sense, refers to that which has the virtue to produce an effect, even if it does not produce it in the present.
The concept, however, is currently associated with what has apparent existence, as opposed to what is real or physical. This term is very common in the field of computing and technology to refer to reality built through digital systems or formats. The technological system that allows the user to have the sensation of being immersed in a world different from the real one is known as virtual reality. This illusion is produced thanks to models created by a computer that the user views through a special helmet. Although virtual reality was born to be applied in video games, it is currently useful in areas such as medicine and transportation.
Virtual reality does not have a well-defined origin, probably because it was the convergence of various ideas and discoveries that took place since the mid-nineteenth century, long before the existence of the computers we know and use today. Here are some milestones of the last two centuries that undoubtedly represent indispensable points on the way to this fascinating technology: + 1838: Charles Wheatstone, an inventor from Great Britain, creates the first stereoscope, a device capable of reproducing still images in three dimensions . It was a system similar in appearance to a pair of glasses, in which two images of the same scene were placed, each taken from a different angle, to simulate the view of the human eye. + 1929: for the first time in history it was possible to train future pilots of the US Armed Forces virtually, thanks to the creation of a flight simulator. It was called the Link Trainer (although it was also known by the name of Blue Box) and it was completely mechanical. + 1930s: Similar to the previous invention, the first mechanical simulators were created in America to study the flooding of dams and rivers. + 1945: With the use of the first computer with electronic technology, known as ENIAC, it was possible for the first time to simulate the trajectory of projectiles. This was later applied to the Manhattan Project, to simulate explosions. + 1958: the Philco company developed a virtual reality helmet, which translated the movements made by the user. + 1965: A newspaper article titled ‘The Ultimate Display’ by Ivan Sutherland described virtual reality as a concept, but without using the term itself.
+ 1967: Evans & Sutherland is founded, developer of the first program to create virtual worlds with three-dimensional models. + 1970: a glove is created that allows movement in a virtual world. + 1979: The first fully computerized flight simulator was introduced. + 1984: in the book “Neuromancer”, a novel by William Gibson, the term “cyberspace” is used for the first time to refer to a virtual world. Other meanings A virtual pet, on the other hand, is a digital companion created with the aim of accompanying and entertaining people. It is in no worse physical shape than the hardware it runs on, which is a small electronic device. The user must feed and care for the virtual pet to prevent it from dying. A virtual library is one that houses digital works in different formats (.doc, .pdf). Through the Internet, these libraries are available to people all over the world. Finally, virtual sex is a form of erotic relationship that implies the absence of physical contact and that takes advantage of the characteristics of communication and information technologies (ICT) to be carried out.
