Stereoscopic Views

Imagine VR headsets in the 1890s. Well, there were. Stereoscopes were the predecessor to many modern forms of 3D technology. They consisted of a headset with two angled lenses as well as a holder used to hold the images used in the device, known as stereoscopic views. These views consisted of a card with two of the same image. When placed in the viewer, the images would merge creating a 3D effect.

In 1939, the Sawyers company of Portland, Oregon introduced the first View-Master at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. View-Masters are a type of mass-produced stereoscope that use reels consisting of seven sets of two photos, fourteen in total. Each set of photos, printed on a square of film, would be arranged similarly to a typical stereoscopic view. Two of the same image would be lined across from each other on the reel with one for both the left and right eyes. Just like on a conventional stereoscope, when viewed with both eyes, the two images would merge creating the same 3D effect.

This is a newer stereoscope with a set of views. It was made in 2017 for the movie The Lego Batman Movie and was released as a Happy Meal toy from McDonalds. The set came with a stereoscope in the shape either Batman or Batgirl. This is the Batgirl one. It came with three cards with six views on each side.