Introduction:
Metaverses, virtual worlds where users can interact in a three-dimensional environment, have become increasingly popular with the rise of advanced technology.
But which one can be considered the first metaverse in history?
Let’s delve into the annals of time and uncover some fascinating discoveries.
The Creation of Cyberspace:
Before we discuss the first metaverse, it is essential to understand the origins of cyberspace. The term "cyberspace" was coined by William Gibson in his 1984 science fiction novel "Neuromancer," but the concept existed long before that. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, researchers at the University of Utah and Stanford Research Institute were exploring the possibilities of virtual environments using primitive computer graphics and networking technologies (Toy, M., & Caterina, L. (2014).
Virtual Reality
: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press).
The First Steps into a Metaverse:
One of the earliest examples of a metaverse is the "Red River Valley Project," started in 1967 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The project aimed to create a virtual environment for researchers to explore and understand the Red River Watershed using computer simulations. Researchers could interact with the model, manipulate data, and share their findings in real-time. While it was not as visually immersive as modern metaverses, it laid the foundation for future developments (Wright, W. H., & Kappas, A. (2014). The Evolution of
Virtual Reality
Systems: An Overview. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 20(6), 753-768).
A Notable Precursor: Brown University’s VPL Research System:
Another precursor to metaverses is the "
Virtual Reality
Modeling Language (VRML)" developed at Brown University in the late 1980s. This system allowed users to explore and interact with three-dimensional models of various objects, paving the way for more immersive virtual environments. The VRML format became an industry standard, and its descendants, such as X3D and WebGL, are still in use today (Blinn, J. F., & Coquillaud, D. (1996).
Virtual Reality
Modeling Language: An Overview. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 25(3), 87-102).
The Dawn of the Metaverse Era: Second Life:
While earlier systems were crucial stepping stones, it wasn’t until Linden Lab released "Second Life" in 2003 that we truly entered the era of metaverses as we know them today. Second Life is a virtual world where users can create their avatars, build structures, and interact with each other in real-time (Linden Research Inc. (2003). Welcome to Second Life.
Retrieved from https://secondlife.com/
).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the first metaverse is not an easy question to answer definitively since different perspectives and interpretations exist. However, by examining the history of virtual environments, we can trace their development from rudimentary simulations to complex, immersive worlds like Second Life. Whether it was the Red River Valley Project or Brown University’s VPL Research System, each innovation brought us closer to the metaverses that captivate our imagination today.
References:
Blinn, J. F., & Coquillaud, D. (1996).
Virtual Reality
Modeling Language: An Overview. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 25(3), 87-102.
Linden Research Inc. (2003). Welcome to Second Life.
Retrieved from https://secondlife.com/
Toy, M., & Caterina, L. (2014).
Virtual Reality
: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Wright, W. H., & Kappas, A. (2014). The Evolution of
Virtual Reality
Systems: An Overview. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 20(6), 753-768.