The idea of Virtual Reality began well before the advent of the computer, but in dealing only with the VR in the sense in which we know it, all its history has occurred over the past 40 years.

Virtual Reality pioneers such as Ivan Sutherland, Michael Noll, and Myron Krueger all had their parts to play in the creation of 'modern-day' VR.

Popular culture and the science fiction genre both have also had profound effects on research as to the social implications of VR.   More detail...