1828 — Charles Wheatstone gives a speech to the Royal Scottish Society of Arts and describes his invention, the stereoscope. The device delivers synthetic stereoscopic imagery, in which the brain fuses two different images, each directed at a different eyes, into one. The is the underpinning of 3-D technology.
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June 2010 — ESPN launches its own 3-D channel devoted to sporting events. The Disney-owned network will air 25 World Cup matches in 3-D and plans to air about 100 sporting events this year.
Link to the time-line
Source: WSJ research, Entertainment Technology Center, 3-D film preservation Fund.