The article presents a brief history of the development of virtual reality (VR), followed by a comprehensive literature overview on the matter as well as an example of the application of VR in the training of professionals on the example of firefighters. The history, starting in 1965 with the ideas, concepts, and solutions presented by the VR's “forefather”—Ivan Sutherland, delves into multiple projects. The literature review presents various examples of the use of VR in the training of professionals coming from multiple fields, such as medicine, psychology, forestry, iron casting, or construction. The case study shows it can be used to recreate even the most complex scenarios and surroundings, even those of the firefight in confined spaces where enclosed fires tend to appear and have been considered vastly hazardous for not only civilians or equipment but also to firefighters dispatched to contain them.
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