Computer History Museum

The Sword of Damocles: Early head-mounted display

Harvard computer graphics professor Ivan Sutherland created this virtual reality head-mounted display, jokingly referred to as “The Sword of Damocles” because of the large overhead beam required to support its weight. His student Bob Sproull assisted with the design. An early application showed a three-dimensional wire-frame virtual room that users like this man could explore by moving their heads. B&W image. .

The Sword of Damocles: Early head-mounted display - Image 1

Item Details

Date
Circa 1967 (Made)
Type
Still Image
Catalogue number
102680042
Other identifying number
P4530
05934A622248A
Organization
Harvard University
Category
Snapshot
Credit line
Courtesy of Gwen Bell
Dimension
4 1/2w x 3 1/2h x 16l (in)
11.43w x 8.89h (cm)
Acquisition number
X7413.2015
Subject
Monitor