The document discusses the history of VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language), a file format for 3D scenes on the web. It traces VRML from its origins in 1994 as a common language for virtual reality interfaces, to its evolution into X3D to combine with XML in 2004. By the late 2000s, 3D capabilities were integrated directly into web browsers through technologies like WebGL. The document expresses optimism for the future WebVR API which will allow VR experiences on the web without app downloads or installations, fulfilling a dream of easily creating and sharing VR content through web links alone.

1. Tony Parisi
September 2015
VRML
or,
There and Back Again:
A brief, completely personal
history of VR and why I think
that matters now

2. 1. Genesis

3. “…at the first annual World Wide Web Conference in Geneva,
Switzerland. Tim Berners-Lee and Dave Raggett organized a Birds-of-
a-Feather (BOF) session to discuss Virtual Reality interfaces to the
World Wide Web…. Attendees agreed on the need for these tools to
have a common language for specifying 3D scene
description and WWW hyperlinks -- an analog of
HTML for virtual reality. ”
-- original VRML specification, http://www.martinreddy.net/gfx/3d/VRML.spec
The Year was 1994.

5. Shape {
geometry Box {}
}
(It’s that simple.)

6. 1997
(We got pretty far.
60Mhz “Pentium”…
14.4Kb modems…
Think about it.)

7. 2. Exodus

8. X3D
VRML + XML
<Shape>
<Box/>
</Shape>
It’s now 2004.
(And it’s still that simple.)

9. 2007
Now we’re talking. 3D chips, broadband, and a virtual
world in a browser! (Some plug-in assembly required.)

10. 3. Numbers

11. Your browser does 3D
3B seats.
Q.E.D.
WebGL is on all
desktop and
mobile browsers
2009…2014

12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io5snCcQ0ss
http://ogreen.special-t.com/en/
http://cityofdrones.io/
http://riskeverything.nike.com/
branding
games
ads
art and
architecture

13. 4. Revelation

14. The Promised Land

15.  WebVR API
– Head-Tracking
and Fullscreen
VR Support
Now in Nightly
Browser
Builds!!!
– No Big App
Downloads
and Installs!!!
http://mozvr.github.io/webvr-
spec/webvr.html
Quake 3 WebVR demo, developed by Brandon
Jones of Google
http://media.tojicode.com/q3bsp/
Your browser also does VR
2015

16. The Web eats everything in its path.
#ihaveadream
In the future, creating VR will be as easy as
making web pages, sharing VR will be as
simple as sending a link, and experiencing
VR happens
at the touch of a button.
No apps stores; no tolls; no barriers.
I like this future. Much better than an app store.

17. Tony Parisi
September 2015
VRML
or,
There and Back Again:
A brief, completely personal
history of VR and why I think
that matters now