VPL Research - Revision history

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	Despite filing for bankruptcy in 1990, VPL Research is recognized as one of the pioneering companies in virtual reality. The company developed some of the first commercial VR products and implemented some of the first applications of virtual reality.<ref name="vrs"/> VPL's contributions include:		Despite filing for bankruptcy in 1990, VPL Research is recognized as one of the pioneering companies in virtual reality. The company developed some of the first commercial VR products and implemented some of the first applications of virtual reality.<ref name="vrs"/> VPL's contributions include:

	* '''Terminology''' - Jaron Lanier ~~popularized—and~~ arguably ~~coined—the~~ phrase "virtual reality," cementing VPL's place in technology history<ref name="latimes"/>		* '''Terminology''' - Jaron Lanier popularized, and arguably coined, the phrase "virtual reality," cementing VPL's place in technology history<ref name="latimes"/>
	* '''Patent lineage''' - Sun's 1998 acquisition folded VPL IP into Java 3D, influencing successors such as OpenVR, WebVR, and modern VR standards<ref name="hpcwire">Sun Acquires VR & Networked 3D Graphics Patent. HPCwire, Feb 27 1998. Retrieved from https://www.hpcwire.com/1998/02/27/sun-acquires-vr-networked-3d-graphics-patent/</ref>		* '''Patent lineage''' - Sun's 1998 acquisition folded VPL IP into Java 3D, influencing successors such as OpenVR, WebVR, and modern VR standards<ref name="hpcwire">Sun Acquires VR & Networked 3D Graphics Patent. HPCwire, Feb 27 1998. Retrieved from https://www.hpcwire.com/1998/02/27/sun-acquires-vr-networked-3d-graphics-patent/</ref>
	* '''Consumer VR''' - The Power Glove spin-off introduced motion-controlled gaming to the mass market		* '''Consumer VR''' - The Power Glove spin-off introduced motion-controlled gaming to the mass market

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	\|Website=Defunct		\|Website=Defunct
	}}		}}
			{{see also\|Companies}}
	'''VPL Research''' ('''Virtual Programming Languages''') was one of the first companies that developed and sold [[virtual reality]] products. It was founded by [[computer scientist]] [[Jaron Lanier]] and inventor [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]] in 1984.<ref name="wikipedia">VPL Research - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPL_Research</ref> The company pioneered commercial VR hardware and software during the 1980s and was the first firm to design, build, and sell integrated VR systems.<ref name="latimes">Furger, Roberta. The New, Improved Reality. Los Angeles Times, July 21 1991. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-21-tm-264-story.html</ref> VPL Research played a pivotal role in the early development of virtual reality, with Lanier often credited with coining or popularizing the term "virtual reality".<ref name="vrs">VPL Research Jaron Lanier - Virtual Reality Society. (2017, July 13). Retrieved from https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref>		'''VPL Research''' ('''Virtual Programming Languages''') was one of the first companies that developed and sold [[virtual reality]] products. It was founded by [[computer scientist]] [[Jaron Lanier]] and inventor [[Thomas G. Zimmerman]] in 1984.<ref name="wikipedia">VPL Research - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPL_Research</ref> The company pioneered commercial VR hardware and software during the 1980s and was the first firm to design, build, and sell integrated VR systems.<ref name="latimes">Furger, Roberta. The New, Improved Reality. Los Angeles Times, July 21 1991. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-21-tm-264-story.html</ref> VPL Research played a pivotal role in the early development of virtual reality, with Lanier often credited with coining or popularizing the term "virtual reality".<ref name="vrs">VPL Research Jaron Lanier - Virtual Reality Society. (2017, July 13). Retrieved from https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref>

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	</references>		</references>

	[[Category:Virtual ~~reality companies~~]]		[[Category:Companies]]
			[[Category:Defunct Companies]]
			[[Category:Virtual Reality Companies]]
	[[Category:Defunct technology companies of the United States]]		[[Category:Defunct technology companies of the United States]]
	[[Category:Companies established in 1984]]		[[Category:Companies established in 1984]]

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	{{Company Infobox		{{Company Infobox
	\|image=		\|image=[[File:vpl research logo1.jpg\|300px]]
	\|Type=Private		\|Type=Private
	\|Industry=[[Virtual Reality]]		\|Industry=[[Virtual Reality]]

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	===Scientific American Coverage===		===Scientific American Coverage===
	The VPL DataGlove was brought to market in 1987, and in October of that year it appeared on the cover of [[Scientific American]].<ref name="britannica">~~VPL DataGlove \| device \| Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/VPL-DataGlove~~</ref> This mainstream scientific publication coverage helped legitimize VR as a serious technology rather than science fiction.		The VPL DataGlove was brought to market in 1987, and in October of that year it appeared on the cover of [[Scientific American]].<ref name="britannica"></ref> This mainstream scientific publication coverage helped legitimize VR as a serious technology rather than science fiction.

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==

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	* '''[[Young Harvill]]''' - Joined as the fourth employee in 1985.<ref name="wikipedia"/> VP of Engineering at VPL. Created Swivel 3D and worked on RB2 and the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/><ref name="ixdf"/>		* '''[[Young Harvill]]''' - Joined as the fourth employee in 1985.<ref name="wikipedia"/> VP of Engineering at VPL. Created Swivel 3D and worked on RB2 and the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/><ref name="ixdf"/>

	* '''[[Ann Lasko-Harvill]]''' - Chief designer of data suits at VPL Research.<ref name="awexr">~~Ann Lasko-Harvill Chief Designer of Data Suits at VPL - awexr.com. Retrieved from https://www.awexr.com/hall-of-fame/24-ann-lasko-harvill~~</ref> Led development of wearables, tailoring the DataSuit for both male and female anthropometrics.<ref name="awexr"/>		* '''[[Ann Lasko-Harvill]]''' - Chief designer of data suits at VPL Research.<ref name="awexr"></ref> Led development of wearables, tailoring the DataSuit for both male and female anthropometrics.<ref name="awexr"/>

	* '''[[Chuck Blanchard]]''' - Software developer who created Body Electric visual programming language.<ref name="vplsoftware"/> Worked with Lanier on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.<ref name="wikipedia"/>		* '''[[Chuck Blanchard]]''' - Software developer who created Body Electric visual programming language.<ref name="vplsoftware"/> Worked with Lanier on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.<ref name="wikipedia"/>

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Xinreality: Created page with "{{Company Infobox |image= |Type=Private |Industry=Virtual Reality |Founded=1984, Palo Alto, California |Founder=Jaron Lanier |Headquarters=California, United States |Notable Personnel=Jaron Lanier (Founder, CEO)
Thomas Zimmerman (Co-inventor, DataGlove)
Young Harvill (VP of Engineering)
Ann Lasko-Harvill (Chief Designer of Data Suits)
Chuck Blanchard (Software Developer)
Jean-Jacques Grimaud (Engineer) |Prod..."

2025-06-26T04:39:24Z

Created page with "{{Company Infobox |image= |Type=Private |Industry=Virtual Reality |Founded=1984, Palo Alto, California |Founder=Jaron Lanier |Headquarters=California, United States |Notable Personnel=Jaron Lanier (Founder, CEO) Thomas Zimmerman (Co-inventor, DataGlove) Young Harvill (VP of Engineering) Ann Lasko-Harvill (Chief Designer of Data Suits) Chuck Blanchard (Software Developer) Jean-Jacques Grimaud (Engineer) |Prod..."

New page

{{Company Infobox
|image=
|Type=Private
|Industry=[[Virtual Reality]]
|Founded=1984, [[Palo Alto]], [[California]]
|Founder=[[Jaron Lanier]]
|Headquarters=[[California]], United States
|Notable Personnel=[[Jaron Lanier]] (Founder, CEO) [[Thomas Zimmerman]] (Co-inventor, DataGlove) [[Young Harvill]] (VP of Engineering) [[Ann Lasko-Harvill]] (Chief Designer of Data Suits) [[Chuck Blanchard]] (Software Developer) [[Jean-Jacques Grimaud]] (Engineer)
|Products=[[DataGlove]], [[EyePhone]], [[DataSuit]], [[AudioSphere]], [[Body Electric]], [[Isaac]], [[Reality Built for Two]] (RB2)
|Parent=[[Sun Microsystems]] (1998, acquired patents)
|Website=
}}

'''VPL Research''' was one of the first companies that developed and sold [[virtual reality]] products. It was founded by [[computer scientist]] [[Jaron Lanier]] in 1984.<ref name="wikipedia">VPL Research - Wikipedia</ref> "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages".<ref name="wikipedia"/> The company was started in the corner of Lanier's cottage in [[Palo Alto]], a city in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]].<ref name="vrs">VPL Research Jaron Lanier - Virtual Reality Society</ref>

==History==
VPL Research was founded in 1984 by Jaron Lanier, who is often regarded as the person who coined the term "virtual reality".<ref name="vrs"/> He is also credited with further popularizing the term.<ref name="vrs"/> The company received funding in part from [[Marvin Minsky]].<ref name="wikipedia"/>

In 1985, [[Young Harvill]] joined VPL as their fourth employee after licensing his Swivel 3D software to the company.<ref name="wikipedia"/> Harvill had created Swivel 3D in his spare time as a program for creating computer art that gave users the ability to generate virtual worlds on a [[Macintosh]] computer.<ref name="wikipedia"/>

The company filed for [[bankruptcy]] in 1990.<ref name="wikipedia"/> In February 1998, [[Sun Microsystems]] announced it had acquired the patent portfolio and other technical assets of the former VPL Research Inc. from Thomson CSF and Greenleaf Medical.<ref name="sun">Sun buys VPL research - jaronlanier.com</ref> Under the agreement, Sun acquired the worldwide rights to more than a dozen key patents and related technologies.<ref name="sun"/>

==Products==

===Hardware===

{| class="wikitable"
! Product !! Description !! Key Features !! Price
|-
| '''[[DataGlove]]''' || An input device using a glove form factor || • Used fiber-optic bundles to track finger movements • 6502 microcontrollers • Wired to computer • Allowed manipulation of virtual objects || $10,000<ref name="wikipedia"/>
|-
| '''[[EyePhone]]''' || Head-mounted display (HMD) || • Color LCD displays (320×240 per eye)<ref name="vrcompare">VPL EyePhone: Full Specification - VRcompare</ref> • 108° field of view<ref name="vrcompare"/> • 30 Hz refresh rate (5-6 fps in practice)<ref name="wikipedia"/> • Used Fresnel lenses • Head tracking capability || $6,000 (headset only)<ref name="virtualrealityshop">The Complete History of VR - VPL Research Inc - EP-01</ref>
|-
| '''[[DataSuit]]''' || Full-body tracking suit || • Sensors for measuring movement of arms, legs, and trunk<ref name="wikipedia"/> • Developed circa 1989<ref name="vrarwiki">VPL Research - VR & AR Wiki</ref> || N/A
|-
| '''[[AudioSphere]]''' || 3D audio rendering system || • Real-time 3D sound rendering • Created illusion of 3D sounds from all dimensions<ref name="vrs"/> || N/A
|}

The complete VPL system, including the computers required to run it, cost upwards of $250,000.<ref name="wikipedia"/><ref name="flashbak">Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s - Flashbak</ref>

===Software===

====Body Electric====
Body Electric was a [[visual programming language]] used to control and program all other VPL components as part of the whole VPL virtual reality experience.<ref name="vrs"/> It was created by [[Chuck Blanchard]].<ref name="vplsoftware">VPL Software Lives! - jaronlanier.com</ref> According to Jaron Lanier, it was "a rare example of a successful visual programming language that is seductive at first approach, but also scales and has been used for industrial strength applications."<ref name="vplsoftware"/>

====Isaac====
Isaac was a real-time 3D visual rendering engine that worked with Body Electric to create virtual environments.<ref name="vrs"/> It was written by Ethan Joffe and ran on [[Silicon Graphics]] workstations.<ref name="vplsoftware"/>

====Reality Built for Two (RB2)====
"Reality Built for Two" (RB2) was described as the first networked VR system.<ref name="wikipedia"/> It was developed by Young Harvill along with Jaron Lanier and Chuck Blanchard.<ref name="ixdf">Author: Young Harvill | IxDF</ref> RB2 was marketed as a complete off-the-shelf VR system.<ref name="streettech">VPL Research, Inc. - streettech.com</ref>

====Swivel 3D====
Swivel 3D was a 3D modeling program created by Young Harvill before he joined VPL.<ref name="wikipedia"/> It was one of the first 3D modelers for desktop computers.<ref name="ixdf"/> The software was later sold as a stand-alone version by [[Macromedia]].<ref name="vplsoftware"/>

==Key Personnel==

* '''[[Jaron Lanier]]''' - Founder and CEO. Often credited with coining or popularizing the term "virtual reality".<ref name="vrs"/>

* '''[[Thomas Zimmerman]]''' - Invented the prototype of the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/> Co-authored the 1987 paper "A hand gesture interface device" presented at Graphics Interface 87.<ref name="researchgate">A hand gesture interface device - ResearchGate</ref>

* '''[[Young Harvill]]''' - Joined as the fourth employee in 1985.<ref name="wikipedia"/> VP of Engineering at VPL. Created Swivel 3D and worked on RB2 and the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/><ref name="ixdf"/>

* '''[[Ann Lasko-Harvill]]''' - Chief designer of data suits at VPL Research.<ref name="awexr">Ann Lasko-Harvill Chief Designer of Data Suits at VPL - awexr.com</ref> Spearheaded the development of VPL's "Reality Built for Two" (RB2) whole body VR suit.<ref name="awexr"/>

* '''[[Chuck Blanchard]]''' - Software developer who created Body Electric visual programming language.<ref name="vplsoftware"/> Worked with Lanier on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.<ref name="wikipedia"/>

* '''[[Jean-Jacques Grimaud]]''' - Engineer who worked on multiple VPL patents including motion sensors and position tracking systems.<ref name="patents">Patents Assigned to VPL Research Inc. - Justia Patents Search</ref>

* '''[[Jeff Wright]]''' - Worked with Lanier and Blanchard on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.<ref name="wikipedia"/>

* '''[[Mitch Altman]]''' - Joined VPL part-time to help program the 6502 microcontrollers for the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/>

==Patents==
VPL Research held numerous patents related to virtual reality technology, including:
* Motion sensors for detecting hand and body movements<ref name="googlepatents">US5097252A - Motion sensor which produces an asymmetrical signal - Google Patents</ref>
* Data flow networks for virtual world creation
* Head-mounted display technologies
* Position tracking systems

All VPL patents were acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1998.<ref name="sun"/>

==Cultural Impact==

===Mattel Power Glove===
VPL licensed the DataGlove technology to [[Mattel]], which used it to create the [[Power Glove]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="wikipedia"/> Based on VPL's $10,000 DataGlove, Mattel rushed its $90 Power Glove to market, becoming "one of the hottest gift items of the 1989 holiday season" and selling 1.3 million units worldwide.<ref name="wikipedia"/>

===The Lawnmower Man===
The DataSuit and EyePhone were featured in the 1992 science fiction film [[The Lawnmower Man]].<ref name="wikipedia"/> The movie introduced the concept of virtual reality to a wider audience and was in part based on Jaron Lanier and his early laboratory days.<ref name="vrs"/> Real virtual reality equipment from VPL research labs was used in the film.<ref name="vrs"/>

===Scientific American Coverage===
The VPL DataGlove was brought to market in 1987, and in October of that year it appeared on the cover of [[Scientific American]].<ref name="britannica">VPL DataGlove | device | Britannica</ref>

==Legacy==
Despite filing for bankruptcy in 1990, VPL Research is recognized as one of the pioneering companies in virtual reality. The company developed some of the first commercial VR products and implemented some of the first applications of virtual reality.<ref name="vrs"/> Many of the first examples of VR applications were created using VPL software, including vehicle simulators at [[NASA]] and [[Boeing]].<ref name="vplsoftware"/>

After Sun Microsystems acquired VPL's patents in 1998, Jaron Lanier was allowed to provide low-level support for the resilient user community of VPL software.<ref name="vplsoftware"/> However, Sun Microsystems was not known to have sold any virtual reality products using the VPL technology.<ref name="vrs"/>

==See also==
* [[Virtual reality]]
* [[Jaron Lanier]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Data glove]]
* [[History of virtual reality]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="wikipedia">VPL Research - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPL_Research</ref>
<ref name="vrs">VPL Research Jaron Lanier - Virtual Reality Society. (2017, July 13). Retrieved from https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html</ref>
<ref name="sun">Sun buys VPL research. (1998, February). Retrieved from https://jaronlanier.com/sun.html</ref>
<ref name="vrcompare">VPL EyePhone: Full Specification - VRcompare. Retrieved from https://vr-compare.com/headset/vpleyephone</ref>
<ref name="virtualrealityshop">The Complete History of VR - VPL Research Inc - EP-01. (2022, January 20). Virtual Reality Shop. Retrieved from https://www.virtual-reality-shop.co.uk/vpl-research-inc-ep-01/</ref>
<ref name="vrarwiki">VPL Research - VR & AR Wiki. Retrieved from https://vrarwiki.com/wiki/VPL_Research</ref>
<ref name="flashbak">Jaron Lanier's EyePhone: Head And Glove Virtual Reality In The 1980s. (2014, November 24). Flashbak. Retrieved from https://flashbak.com/jaron-laniers-eyephone-head-and-glove-virtual-reality-in-the-1980s-26180/</ref>
<ref name="vplsoftware">VPL Software Lives! - Jaron Lanier. Retrieved from https://www.jaronlanier.com/vpl.html</ref>
<ref name="ixdf">Author: Young Harvill. IxDF. Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/author/young-harvill</ref>
<ref name="streettech">VPL Research, Inc. StreetTech. Retrieved from https://www.streettech.com/bcp/BCPgraf/StreetTech/VPL.html</ref>
<ref name="awexr">Ann Lasko-Harvill Chief Designer of Data Suits at VPL. AWEXR. Retrieved from https://www.awexr.com/hall-of-fame/24-ann-lasko-harvill</ref>
<ref name="researchgate">Zimmerman, T. G., Lanier, J., Blanchard, C., Bryson, S., & Harvill, Y. (1987). A hand gesture interface device. ResearchGate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229067885_A_hand_gesture_interface_device</ref>
<ref name="patents">Patents Assigned to VPL Research Inc. Justia Patents Search. Retrieved from https://patents.justia.com/assignee/vpl-research-inc</ref>
<ref name="googlepatents">US5097252A - Motion sensor which produces an asymmetrical signal in response to symmetrical movement. Google Patents. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US5097252</ref>
<ref name="britannica">VPL DataGlove. Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/VPL-DataGlove</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Virtual reality companies]]
[[Category:Defunct technology companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1990 disestablishments in California]]