The Electronic Talking View-Master Was The Original Oculus Rift

The Electronic Talking View-Master Was The Original Oculus Rift

Almost 30 years before the original View-Master was already dabbling in virtual reality — albeit a tamer version — with an electronic viewer that mixed 3D images and audio into what was probably a revolutionary experience back then.

Seen here in an ad dating back to February of 1983, the Electronic Talking View-Master used the same slideshow discs as previous versions of the toy. But they were embedded in a special cartridge alongside a tiny vinyl record that would be played at the same time.

The Electronic Talking View-Master Was The Original Oculus Rift

The technology seems downright prehistoric given you can now share HD movies on flash cards that are smaller than a fingernail. But a device small enough to hold in your hands that could show 3D images with audio was a big deal back in 1983. Thankfully, though, Mattel decided to skip the record player technology for the new Google Cardboard-powered View-Master it announced at Toy Fair earlier this year — probably a smart move. [Twitter – RetroNewsNow]

The Electronic Talking View-Master Was The Original Oculus Rift

Picture: 20th Century Stereo Viewers


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