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'''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</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">The New, Improved Reality - Los Angeles Times</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</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>


==History==
==History==
VPL Research was founded in 1984 in a corner of Jaron Lanier's cottage in [[Palo Alto]], a city in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]].<ref name="vrs"/> The company quickly moved to offices on Bair Island Road in [[Redwood City]], California.<ref name="latimes"/> The acronym "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages," emphasizing the company's philosophy of treating human motion as a programming language.<ref name="proto">A Hero Behind the VR Headset - proto.life</ref>
VPL Research was founded in 1984 in a corner of Jaron Lanier's cottage in [[Palo Alto]], a city in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]].<ref name="vrs"/> The company quickly moved to offices on Bair Island Road in [[Redwood City]], California.<ref name="latimes"/> The acronym "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages," emphasizing the company's philosophy of treating human motion as a programming language.<ref name="proto">Pascucci, Valentina. A Hero Behind the VR Headset. proto.life, Sept 14 2021. Retrieved from https://proto.life/2021/09/a-hero-behind-the-vr-headset/</ref>


The company received seed capital from angel investors and partial funding from [[Marvin Minsky]], a renowned [[artificial intelligence]] pioneer.<ref name="wikipedia"/> This allowed VPL to blend counter-culture aesthetics with bleeding-edge computing technology.<ref name="proto"/>
The company received seed capital from angel investors and partial funding from [[Marvin Minsky]], a renowned [[artificial intelligence]] pioneer.<ref name="wikipedia"/> This allowed VPL to blend counter-culture aesthetics with bleeding-edge computing technology.<ref name="proto"/>
Line 21: Line 21:
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"/>
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 due to chronic cash-flow problems and the high cost of complete VR systems.<ref name="wikipedia"/> During Chapter 11 proceedings, VPL pledged more than 20 patents as collateral, which were sold at discount to French defense contractor [[Thomson-CSF]] in 1992.<ref name="wired1993">Jaron - Wired Magazine</ref> 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 related to networked computer interaction, datagloves, computer wearables, image rendering, and VR programming standards, which were integrated into Sun's Java 3D API.<ref name="sun"/>
The company filed for [[bankruptcy]] in 1990 due to chronic cash-flow problems and the high cost of complete VR systems.<ref name="wikipedia"/> During Chapter 11 proceedings, VPL pledged more than 20 patents as collateral, which were sold at discount to French defense contractor [[Thomson-CSF]] in 1992.<ref name="wired1993">Levy, Steven. Jaron. Wired, Feb 1993. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/1993/02/jaron</ref> 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. (1998, February). Retrieved from https://jaronlanier.com/sun.html</ref> Under the agreement, Sun acquired the worldwide rights to more than a dozen key patents related to networked computer interaction, datagloves, computer wearables, image rendering, and VR programming standards, which were integrated into Sun's Java 3D API.<ref name="sun"/>


==Products==
==Products==
Line 32: Line 32:
| '''[[DataGlove]]''' || An input device using a glove form factor || • Used fiber-optic bundles to track finger movements<br/>• ~256 positions per finger<br/>• 6502 microcontrollers<br/>• Wired to computer<br/>• Allowed manipulation of virtual objects<br/>• Featured on Scientific American cover (October 1987) || $10,000<ref name="wikipedia"/>
| '''[[DataGlove]]''' || An input device using a glove form factor || • Used fiber-optic bundles to track finger movements<br/>• ~256 positions per finger<br/>• 6502 microcontrollers<br/>• Wired to computer<br/>• Allowed manipulation of virtual objects<br/>• Featured on Scientific American cover (October 1987) || $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><br/>• 108° field of view<ref name="vrcompare"/><br/>• 30 Hz refresh rate (5-6 fps in practice)<ref name="wikipedia"/><br/>• Used Fresnel lenses<br/>• 3-DoF head tracking capability || $6,000 (headset only)<ref name="virtualrealityshop">The Complete History of VR - VPL Research Inc - EP-01</ref>
| '''[[EyePhone]]''' || Head-mounted display (HMD) || • Color LCD displays (320×240 per eye)<ref name="vrcompare">VPL EyePhone: Full Specification - VRcompare. Retrieved from https://vr-compare.com/headset/vpleyephone</ref><br/>• 108° field of view<ref name="vrcompare"/><br/>• 30 Hz refresh rate (5-6 fps in practice)<ref name="wikipedia"/><br/>• Used Fresnel lenses<br/>• 3-DoF head tracking capability || $6,000 (headset only)<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>
|-
|-
| '''[[DataSuit]]''' || Full-body tracking suit || • 30+ joint sensors for measuring movement<ref name="proto"/><br/>• Tracked arms, legs, and trunk in real time<ref name="wikipedia"/><br/>• Developed circa 1989<ref name="vrarwiki">VPL Research - VR & AR Wiki</ref><br/>• Tailored for male and female anthropometrics || N/A
| '''[[DataSuit]]''' || Full-body tracking suit || • 30+ joint sensors for measuring movement<ref name="proto"/><br/>• Tracked arms, legs, and trunk in real time<ref name="wikipedia"/><br/>• Developed circa 1989<ref name="vrarwiki">VPL Research - VR & AR Wiki. Retrieved from https://vrarwiki.com/wiki/VPL_Research</ref><br/>• Tailored for male and female anthropometrics || N/A
|-
|-
| '''[[AudioSphere]]''' || 3D audio rendering system || • Real-time 3D sound rendering<br/>• Binaural spatialization<br/>• Created illusion of 3D sounds from all dimensions<ref name="vrs"/><br/>• Enhanced realism of virtual experiences || N/A
| '''[[AudioSphere]]''' || 3D audio rendering system || • Real-time 3D sound rendering<br/>• Binaural spatialization<br/>• Created illusion of 3D sounds from all dimensions<ref name="vrs"/><br/>• Enhanced realism of virtual experiences || N/A
|}
|}


The complete VPL system, including the computers required to run it (typically [[Silicon Graphics]] IRIS workstations), 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>
The complete VPL system, including the computers required to run it (typically [[Silicon Graphics]] IRIS workstations), cost upwards of $250,000.<ref name="wikipedia"/><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>


===Software===
===Software===


====Body Electric====
====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"/> The software allowed designers to prototype interactive worlds rapidly using gesture-based programming.<ref name="acm1991">Virtual Reality on Five Dollars a Day - ACM SIGCHI</ref>
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! - Jaron Lanier. Retrieved from https://www.jaronlanier.com/vpl.html</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"/> The software allowed designers to prototype interactive worlds rapidly using gesture-based programming.<ref name="acm1991">Lanier, J., Zimmerman, T. et al. Virtual Reality on Five Dollars a Day. Proceedings of ACM SIGCHI, 1991. Retrieved from https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~stage3/publications/91/conferences/sigchi/vrOnFiveDollarsADay/paper.html</ref>


====Isaac====
====Isaac====
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====Reality Built for Two (RB2)====
====Reality Built for Two (RB2)====
"Reality Built for Two" (RB2) was described as the first commercial multi-user 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 that linked Silicon Graphics IRIS renderers with Ethernet networking for shared virtual experiences.<ref name="streettech">VPL Research, Inc. - streettech.com</ref>
"Reality Built for Two" (RB2) was described as the first commercial multi-user 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. Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/author/young-harvill</ref> RB2 was marketed as a complete off-the-shelf VR system that linked Silicon Graphics IRIS renderers with Ethernet networking for shared virtual experiences.<ref name="streettech">VPL Research, Inc. StreetTech. Retrieved from https://www.streettech.com/bcp/BCPgraf/StreetTech/VPL.html</ref>


====Swivel 3D====
====Swivel 3D====
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* '''[[Jaron Lanier]]''' - Founder and CEO. Often credited with coining or popularizing the term "virtual reality".<ref name="vrs"/> Hosted weekly jam sessions with VR gear and musical instruments, embodying his belief that computing should augment creativity.<ref name="wired1993"/>
* '''[[Jaron Lanier]]''' - Founder and CEO. Often credited with coining or popularizing the term "virtual reality".<ref name="vrs"/> Hosted weekly jam sessions with VR gear and musical instruments, embodying his belief that computing should augment creativity.<ref name="wired1993"/>


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


* '''[[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</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">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"/>


* '''[[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"/>


* '''[[Jean-Jacques Grimaud]]''' - Co-founder, President, and VP of Engineering.<ref name="grimaud">Jean-Jacques Grimaud LinkedIn Profile</ref> 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>
* '''[[Jean-Jacques Grimaud]]''' - Co-founder, President, and VP of Engineering.<ref name="grimaud">Jean-Jacques Grimaud LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved from http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jean-jacques-grimaud/0/35/54/en</ref> 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. Retrieved from https://patents.justia.com/assignee/vpl-research-inc</ref>


* '''[[Jeff Wright]]''' - Worked with Lanier and Blanchard on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.<ref name="wikipedia"/>
* '''[[Jeff Wright]]''' - Worked with Lanier and Blanchard on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.<ref name="wikipedia"/>
Line 73: Line 73:
* '''[[Mitch Altman]]''' - Joined VPL part-time to help program the 6502 microcontrollers for the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/>
* '''[[Mitch Altman]]''' - Joined VPL part-time to help program the 6502 microcontrollers for the DataGlove.<ref name="wikipedia"/>


* '''[[Timothy Leary]]''' - After his release from prison, worked with VPL as a consultant to explore consciousness through virtual reality.<ref name="leary">Timothy Leary VPL Research - Virtual Reality History</ref>
* '''[[Timothy Leary]]''' - After his release from prison, worked with VPL as a consultant to explore consciousness through virtual reality.<ref name="leary">Timothy Leary VPL Research - Virtual Reality History. Retrieved from https://www.vrhistory.com/timothy-leary-vpl</ref>


==Corporate Culture==
==Corporate Culture==
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* '''[[General Motors]]''' - Employed DataGlove and VR systems for ergonomic studies and automotive design
* '''[[General Motors]]''' - Employed DataGlove and VR systems for ergonomic studies and automotive design
* '''[[U.S. Olympic Committee]]''' - Utilized DataSuit for sports performance analysis and training
* '''[[U.S. Olympic Committee]]''' - Utilized DataSuit for sports performance analysis and training
* '''Medical institutions''' - Used VPL technology for surgical rehearsal and medical visualization<ref name="computerlaw">The Law of Virtual Reality - Computerlaw Group</ref>
* '''Medical institutions''' - Used VPL technology for surgical rehearsal and medical visualization<ref name="computerlaw">The Law of Virtual Reality. Computerlaw Group LLP, 1991. Retrieved from https://www.computerlaw.com/articles/the-law-of-virtual-reality/</ref>


===Entertainment and Education===
===Entertainment and Education===
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==Patents==
==Patents==
VPL Research held numerous pioneering patents related to virtual reality technology, including:
VPL Research held numerous pioneering 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>
* Motion sensors for detecting hand and body movements<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>
* Data flow networks for virtual world creation
* Data flow networks for virtual world creation
* Head-mounted display technologies
* Head-mounted display technologies
Line 105: Line 105:


===Mattel Power Glove===
===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 Power Glove introduced affordable motion input to millions of gamers, albeit with limited functionality.<ref name="powerglove">Power Glove - Wikipedia</ref>
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 Power Glove introduced affordable motion input to millions of gamers, albeit with limited functionality.<ref name="powerglove">Power Glove. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Glove</ref>


===The Lawnmower Man===
===The Lawnmower Man===
Line 111: Line 111:


===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</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">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.


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
Line 117: Line 117:


* '''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</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
* '''Software legacy''' - Many of the first examples of VR applications were created using VPL software, including vehicle simulators at NASA and Boeing<ref name="vplsoftware"/>
* '''Software legacy''' - Many of the first examples of VR applications were created using VPL software, including vehicle simulators at NASA and Boeing<ref name="vplsoftware"/>
Line 147: Line 147:
<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="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="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="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="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>
<ref name="britannica">VPL DataGlove. Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/VPL-DataGlove</ref>

Revision as of 04:58, 26 June 2025

VPL Research
Information
Type Private
Industry Virtual Reality
Founded 1984, Palo Alto, California (later moved to Redwood City)
Founder Jaron Lanier, Thomas G. Zimmerman
Headquarters Redwood City, California, United States
Notable Personnel Jaron Lanier (Founder, CEO)
Thomas G. Zimmerman (Co-founder, Co-inventor DataGlove)
Young Harvill (VP of Engineering)
Ann Lasko-Harvill (Chief Designer of Data Suits)
Chuck Blanchard (Software Developer)
Jean-Jacques Grimaud (Co-founder, President)
Timothy Leary (Consultant)
Products DataGlove, EyePhone, DataSuit, AudioSphere, Body Electric, Isaac, Reality Built for Two (RB2), Swivel 3D
Parent Sun Microsystems (1998, acquired patents)
Website Defunct


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.[1] The company pioneered commercial VR hardware and software during the 1980s and was the first firm to design, build, and sell integrated VR systems.[2] 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".[3]

History

VPL Research was founded in 1984 in a corner of Jaron Lanier's cottage in Palo Alto, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area.[3] The company quickly moved to offices on Bair Island Road in Redwood City, California.[2] The acronym "VPL" stood for "Virtual Programming Languages," emphasizing the company's philosophy of treating human motion as a programming language.[4]

The company received seed capital from angel investors and partial funding from Marvin Minsky, a renowned artificial intelligence pioneer.[1] This allowed VPL to blend counter-culture aesthetics with bleeding-edge computing technology.[4]

In 1985, Young Harvill joined VPL as their fourth employee after licensing his Swivel 3D software to the company.[1] 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.[1]

The company filed for bankruptcy in 1990 due to chronic cash-flow problems and the high cost of complete VR systems.[1] During Chapter 11 proceedings, VPL pledged more than 20 patents as collateral, which were sold at discount to French defense contractor Thomson-CSF in 1992.[5] 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.[6] Under the agreement, Sun acquired the worldwide rights to more than a dozen key patents related to networked computer interaction, datagloves, computer wearables, image rendering, and VR programming standards, which were integrated into Sun's Java 3D API.[6]

Products

Hardware

Product Description Key Features Price
DataGlove An input device using a glove form factor • Used fiber-optic bundles to track finger movements
• ~256 positions per finger
• 6502 microcontrollers
• Wired to computer
• Allowed manipulation of virtual objects
• Featured on Scientific American cover (October 1987)		 $10,000[1]
EyePhone Head-mounted display (HMD) • Color LCD displays (320×240 per eye)[7]
• 108° field of view[7]
• 30 Hz refresh rate (5-6 fps in practice)[1]
• Used Fresnel lenses
• 3-DoF head tracking capability		 $6,000 (headset only)[8]
DataSuit Full-body tracking suit • 30+ joint sensors for measuring movement[4]
• Tracked arms, legs, and trunk in real time[1]
• Developed circa 1989[9]
• Tailored for male and female anthropometrics		 N/A
AudioSphere 3D audio rendering system • Real-time 3D sound rendering
• Binaural spatialization
• Created illusion of 3D sounds from all dimensions[3]
• Enhanced realism of virtual experiences		 N/A

The complete VPL system, including the computers required to run it (typically Silicon Graphics IRIS workstations), cost upwards of $250,000.[1][10]

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.[3] It was created by Chuck Blanchard.[11] 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."[11] The software allowed designers to prototype interactive worlds rapidly using gesture-based programming.[12]

Isaac

Isaac was a real-time 3D visual rendering engine that worked with Body Electric to create virtual environments.[3] It was written by Ethan Joffe and ran on Silicon Graphics workstations.[11]

Reality Built for Two (RB2)

"Reality Built for Two" (RB2) was described as the first commercial multi-user VR system.[1] It was developed by Young Harvill along with Jaron Lanier and Chuck Blanchard.[13] RB2 was marketed as a complete off-the-shelf VR system that linked Silicon Graphics IRIS renderers with Ethernet networking for shared virtual experiences.[14]

Swivel 3D

Swivel 3D was a 3D modeling program created by Young Harvill before he joined VPL.[1] It was one of the first 3D modelers for desktop computers.[13] The software was later sold as a stand-alone version by Macromedia.[11]

Key Personnel

  • Jaron Lanier - Founder and CEO. Often credited with coining or popularizing the term "virtual reality".[3] Hosted weekly jam sessions with VR gear and musical instruments, embodying his belief that computing should augment creativity.[5]
  • Thomas G. Zimmerman - Co-founder and inventor of the DataGlove.[1] Co-authored the 1987 paper "A hand gesture interface device" presented at Graphics Interface 87.[15]
  • Young Harvill - Joined as the fourth employee in 1985.[1] VP of Engineering at VPL. Created Swivel 3D and worked on RB2 and the DataGlove.[1][13]
  • Ann Lasko-Harvill - Chief designer of data suits at VPL Research.[16] Led development of wearables, tailoring the DataSuit for both male and female anthropometrics.[16]
  • Chuck Blanchard - Software developer who created Body Electric visual programming language.[11] Worked with Lanier on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.[1]
  • Jean-Jacques Grimaud - Co-founder, President, and VP of Engineering.[17] Engineer who worked on multiple VPL patents including motion sensors and position tracking systems.[18]
  • Jeff Wright - Worked with Lanier and Blanchard on the Embrace visual programming language from 1988 to 1991.[1]
  • Mitch Altman - Joined VPL part-time to help program the 6502 microcontrollers for the DataGlove.[1]
  • Timothy Leary - After his release from prison, worked with VPL as a consultant to explore consciousness through virtual reality.[19]

Corporate Culture

Employees described the VPL office as "part research lab, part Burning Man workshop."[5] The company culture emphasized embodied interaction and creative experimentation. Lanier hosted weekly jam sessions combining VR gear with musical instruments, reflecting the company's philosophy that computing should augment human creativity rather than replace it.[5] This blend of counter-culture aesthetics with cutting-edge technology attracted a diverse team of engineers, artists, and visionaries.[4]

Applications and Customers

VPL's technology found applications across various industries:

Medical and Industrial

Early customers included:

  • NASA Ames Research Center - Used VPL systems for space mission simulations and telerobotics research
  • General Motors - Employed DataGlove and VR systems for ergonomic studies and automotive design
  • U.S. Olympic Committee - Utilized DataSuit for sports performance analysis and training
  • Medical institutions - Used VPL technology for surgical rehearsal and medical visualization[20]

Entertainment and Education

  • Boeing - Developed flight simulators using VPL software[11]
  • Various universities and research institutions used VPL systems for VR research and development

Patents

VPL Research held numerous pioneering patents related to virtual reality technology, including:

  • Motion sensors for detecting hand and body movements[21]
  • Data flow networks for virtual world creation
  • Head-mounted display technologies
  • Position tracking systems
  • Networked computer interaction protocols

All VPL patents were acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1998, forming the basis for Java 3D and influencing modern VR standards.[6]

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.[1] 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.[1] The Power Glove introduced affordable motion input to millions of gamers, albeit with limited functionality.[22]

The Lawnmower Man

The DataSuit and EyePhone were featured prominently in the 1992 science fiction film The Lawnmower Man.[1] 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.[3] Real virtual reality equipment from VPL research labs was used in the film.[3]

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.[23] This mainstream scientific publication coverage helped legitimize VR as a serious technology rather than science fiction.

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.[3] VPL's contributions include:

  • Terminology - Jaron Lanier popularized—and arguably coined—the phrase "virtual reality," cementing VPL's place in technology history[2]
  • Patent lineage - Sun's 1998 acquisition folded VPL IP into Java 3D, influencing successors such as OpenVR, WebVR, and modern VR standards[24]
  • Consumer VR - The Power Glove spin-off introduced motion-controlled gaming to the mass market
  • Software legacy - Many of the first examples of VR applications were created using VPL software, including vehicle simulators at NASA and Boeing[11]

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.[11] However, Sun Microsystems was not known to have sold any virtual reality products using the VPL technology.[3] VPL's vision of providing users with an experience of "comfort with multiple realities" remains relevant in VR's ongoing cultural and philosophical discourse.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 VPL Research - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPL_Research
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 VPL Research Jaron Lanier - Virtual Reality Society. (2017, July 13). Retrieved from https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-profiles/vpl-research.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pascucci, Valentina. A Hero Behind the VR Headset. proto.life, Sept 14 2021. Retrieved from https://proto.life/2021/09/a-hero-behind-the-vr-headset/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Levy, Steven. Jaron. Wired, Feb 1993. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/1993/02/jaron
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sun buys VPL research. (1998, February). Retrieved from https://jaronlanier.com/sun.html
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 VPL EyePhone: Full Specification - VRcompare. Retrieved from https://vr-compare.com/headset/vpleyephone
  8. ↑ 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/
  9. ↑ VPL Research - VR & AR Wiki. Retrieved from https://vrarwiki.com/wiki/VPL_Research
  10. ↑ 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/
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 VPL Software Lives! - Jaron Lanier. Retrieved from https://www.jaronlanier.com/vpl.html
  12. ↑ Lanier, J., Zimmerman, T. et al. Virtual Reality on Five Dollars a Day. Proceedings of ACM SIGCHI, 1991. Retrieved from https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~stage3/publications/91/conferences/sigchi/vrOnFiveDollarsADay/paper.html
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Author: Young Harvill. IxDF. Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/author/young-harvill
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 VPL Research, Inc. StreetTech. Retrieved from https://www.streettech.com/bcp/BCPgraf/StreetTech/VPL.html
  15. ↑ 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
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 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 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "awexr" defined multiple times with different content
  17. ↑ Jean-Jacques Grimaud LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved from http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jean-jacques-grimaud/0/35/54/en
  18. ↑ Patents Assigned to VPL Research Inc. - Justia Patents Search. Retrieved from https://patents.justia.com/assignee/vpl-research-inc
  19. ↑ Timothy Leary VPL Research - Virtual Reality History. Retrieved from https://www.vrhistory.com/timothy-leary-vpl
  20. ↑ The Law of Virtual Reality. Computerlaw Group LLP, 1991. Retrieved from https://www.computerlaw.com/articles/the-law-of-virtual-reality/
  21. ↑ US5097252A - Motion sensor which produces an asymmetrical signal in response to symmetrical movement. Google Patents. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US5097252
  22. ↑ Power Glove. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Glove
  23. ↑ VPL DataGlove | device | Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/VPL-DataGlove Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "britannica" defined multiple times with different content
  24. ↑ 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/
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