A three-dimensional (3D) display is a display device capable of conveying depth perception to the viewer. This may be achieved through a number of different mechanisms, such as stereopsis, volumetric display, holography, or by using a head-mounted display. One of the earliest examples of a 3D display was the stereoscope, invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1838. Wheatstone’s stereoscope used two mirrors to reflect images from a pair of stereoscopic cards, creating the illusion of depth perception. The first practical volumetric display was invented by Hungarian engineer Kálmán Tihanyi in 1928.
Some of the emerging trends in 3D displays include the use of holographic technology, the use of volumetric displays, and the use of light field displays.