While many have dabbled with it in the past, modern Virtual Reality (VR) as we know it, is a pretty new advancement in the world of technology. And there’s still a lot the general public doesn’t know about VR and it's history. So here are 5 VR facts about VR you probably didn’t know:

1. Born In 1987: Believe it or not, the term VR was originally coined in 1987 by Jaron Lanier, when this form of sensory immersion was first explored. During an intense period of research surrounding this form of technology, the phrase was already solidified as what we know and regard as VR today.
   

2. Better Than Gaming: Did you know some of the best VR uses today have nothing to do with video games? There are VR travel experiences, VR documentaries, VR home tours, and the list goes on. It’s unfortunate when people put VR in a box, assuming it’s only use is for that of gaming.
   

3. Accidental Success: Yes, Google did not set out originally to be the VR pioneers. The Google Cardboard platform, developed by David Coz and Damien Henry, was created as part of Google’s “innovation time off” program in which engineers are supported to spend 20 percent of their time working on personal projects that they enjoy. Google Cardboard was one of those personal projects, now a principal element in scalable VR today. We here at Cardboard VR Canada have taken it one step further and offer branded versions of Google's original invention.
   

4. Government Loves VR: Right now, NASA and the U.S. military are investing in VR faster than any gaming company. NASA is leveraging VR as a connective element to individuals in outer-space, while the military is using VR to recruit and train soldiers before they are deployed. VR is used to provide realistic experiences without jeopardizing anyone’s personal safety.
   

5. No Single Inventor: Unlike other big discoveries in our world, there is no singular person who can be accredited with the discovery of VR. There are 5 principle people who claim they had something to do with the technology we know and love today: Morton Heilig, Jaron Lanier, Douglas Engelbart, Ivan Sutherland, and Myron Krueger.

After these 5 facts, we bet you feel a little more knowledgeable when it comes to the world of VR we know and love today. VR can be scaled for just about anything, enhancing tradeshows, marketing presentations, and sensory experiences when it comes to business services and products. If you think VR is just for gaming, think again.