Virtual reality is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user through interactive devices. It involves immersing the senses in a 3D computer-generated world. The history of VR began in the 1950s with flight simulators for pilots. Major developments included research programs in the 1960s, commercial development in the 1980s, and the first commercial entertainment system in the early 1990s. There are different types of VR including immersive VR, augmented VR, video mapping, and desktop VR. Popular applications of VR include gaming, education, and training. The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset that provides an immersive stereoscopic 3D viewing experience.