The History of 3D TV

Updated: 06 May 2025

The History of 3D TV can be said to have begun around 300 BC, when Euklides, a Greek scientist, discovered human binocular vision. Later, Leonardo da Vinci developed theories on the creation of images in three dimensions. Over the centuries, numerous scientists have tried to develop methods by which 3D effects could be reproduced in images and movies. Interest in 3D image technology grew alongside movie and photography technology, continuing until the beginning of World War II, when interest declined for several years.

By the late 1800s, several engineers and inventors were involved in the invention of television. But only many years later did scientists start to incorporate 3D image technology with the latest televisions, leading to the development of 3D TV. Here is a chronological account of the development of 3D image technology from the mid-19th century up to the 21st century.

1844 To 1900

In the history of 3D TV, one of the first recorded instruments with the ability to photograph objects in 3D was the stereoscope, invented in 1844 by David Brewster. Another similar invention was the stereoscopic camera by Louis Jules Dubosq, which was capable of taking exposures of an electric arc’s sparks.

With this camera, the inventor later took a photograph of Queen Victoria and showcased it in 1851 at Exposition Universelle. This photograph became popular, and the stereoscopic-still-camera with its 3D illusion ability was employed for several other personal photographs until the beginning of World War II.

Another invention in the field of 3D technology happened in 1855. Known as the Kinematascope, this camera was capable of stereo animation and could generate 3D images in motion.

During the late 1890s, William Friese-Greene, a renowned British filmmaker, filed an official request for the patent of a 3D movie production process. His patent consisted of a stereoscopic instrument using which a viewer could see two films positioned perpendicularly to each other, such that the resultant image appeared to be in three dimensions.

1913 To 1935

The next phase of development in the history of 3D TV technology was from 1913 to 1935.

In 1913, William van Doren Kelley invented the Prizma color system. His first film using this system was ‘Our Navy’ in 1917. He used this color system in the printing of his later anaglyph movies too; however, his works did not find patronage. Kelly’s works were followed by Laurens Hammond’s invention—the Teleview system.

With this system, stereoscopic images could be recorded using an alternate frame sequencing technique in which films are alternately placed on one strip.

In 1915, filmmakers created the world’s first movie using anaglyph technology, employing 3D TV glasses with two dissimilar colored lenses. In the following years, William E. Waddell and Edwin S. Porter showed that it was possible to accomplish 3D film recording with two films.

Two big milestones in 3D technology were: first, the creation of the 3D mainstream film ‘The Power of Love’ in 1922 and, second, the screening of it with viewers wearing anaglyph eyewear. This movie, made by Robert F. Elder and Harry K. Fairall, was recorded using two dissimilar colors (red and green), and when it was projected, its images would appear in 3D.

The third big milestone was the demonstration of the first 3D TV by John Logie Baird on August 10, 1958, on his company grounds. Baird went on to develop a number of 3D television systems that employed cathode ray tube and electromechanical techniques. The first color movie using 3D technology was made in 1935, after which this technology remained unused for the next ten years.

The 1950s

3D technology gained increasing attention during the 1950s when televisions started gaining popularity. During this period, more and more households added televisions to their homes.

The defining moment in the history of 3D TV came when several 3D movies started getting produced. Among them, the most memorable 3D releases in the United States were: United Artists’ Bwana Devil produced in 1952, House of Wax in 1953 (also with stereophonic sound), and Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder in 1954. This Hitchcock movie was also released in 2D, as Alfred wanted to maximize his profits and many theaters at that time did not have the technology to display 3D movies.

Bwana Devil was produced using the Natural Vision process, but the Hollywood studios declined to adopt the technology. While movie studios in the United States were producing 3D cinema movies, the Soviet Union was doing the same too. By 1947, a studio in the Soviet Union had produced and released Robinson Crusoe, their first commercial 3D movie.

The 1960s

By the 1960s, a new 3D technology called Space Vision—which takes two images and prints them one on top of the other on a strip—was developed.

This technology was unique in that it required the involvement of one projector equipped with a special lens, as opposed to two cameras that were being used for 3D movie projection until then. This single projector eliminated the inconvenience of using two cameras that had to be perfectly synced at all times.

The Bubble was the first movie to be displayed using Space Vision, and though the movie was not received well by critics, audiences appreciated the new 3D technology used to screen it. Profits brought in by the movie ensured that this new technology got readily adopted by other Hollywood studios.

1970 To 1980

Chris Condon, along with Allan Silliphant, developed Stereovision in 1970—a 3D technology using a 35mm film strip on which two images are pressed together alongside the other. This new 3D technology employed a unique anamorphic lens and a number of Polaroid filters to enlarge the image along its width.

The beginning of the 1980s witnessed the release of several 3D movies using technology similar to that of Space Vision. Two such movies were: Jaws 3D and Friday the 13th Part III.

IMAX, a projection standard and film format (motion pictures), created 3D technology that was mathematically accurate, such that it had the ability to eliminate fatigue of the eye—an aspect that was experienced by audiences when viewing movies using other 3D technologies. Using this technology, IMAX produced several documentary films in 3D by the mid-1980s.

1990s To 2010

A number of 3D movies were released in the IMAX format during the 1990s, and two of the popular ones were Into the Deep and Wings of Courage. Several big Hollywood movie studios continued to release such movies through the 2000s. Some of the well-known movies were: Ghosts of the Abyss, Spy Kids 3D: Game Over, and The Polar Express.

Towards 2009 and 2010, several channel broadcasters announced that they would be showing programs and shows in 3D, and this got 3D technology inside our homes.

Availability of 3D content for TV was certainly one of the biggest landmarks in the history of 3D TV. This created a huge market for 3D television, using which viewers could watch these programs with 3D TV glasses. Another push in favor of 3D television came from video games, which offered a unique experience when played on 3D TVs. For more on the technology behind these glasses, see 3D TV Glasses. For a deeper look at how 3D TV works, visit How Does 3D TV Work?.

3D TV from 2010 Onwards: Boom, Bust, and Legacy

The modern era of 3D TV began in earnest in 2010, when major manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, and LG launched their first 3D-capable televisions. This surge was fueled by the massive success of James Cameron’s Avatar in 2009, which reignited public interest in immersive 3D experiences.

Initially, the market responded with enthusiasm. In 2011, over 24 million 3D TVs were sold worldwide, and by 2012, that number had climbed to more than 41 million. Broadcasters and content providers joined the movement, with channels like ESPN 3D and Sky 3D offering live sports and special events in 3D. Movie studios released a wave of 3D Blu-rays, and some streaming services experimented with 3D content.

However, the excitement was short-lived. Several factors contributed to the rapid decline of 3D TV after its initial boom:

• Limited Content: Despite early promises, there was never enough compelling 3D programming. Most TV shows and movies remained in 2D, and many 3D releases were simply converted from 2D, often with disappointing results.
• Glasses Fatigue: The need to wear special glasses for every viewing session proved inconvenient for many households. Active shutter glasses were expensive and required batteries, while passive glasses, though lighter, often resulted in a dimmer or less sharp image.
• Viewing Experience: 3D TVs required viewers to sit directly in front of the screen for the best effect. Moving off-center could ruin the illusion, and some people experienced eye strain or headaches after prolonged viewing.
• High Costs: 3D TVs and accessories were more expensive than their 2D counterparts, and the added cost was hard to justify given the limited content and practical drawbacks.
• Competition from New Technologies: The rise of Ultra HD (4K) TVs and the explosion of streaming services shifted consumer interest away from 3D. Smart TVs offered a more convenient and content-rich experience, making 3D seem less essential.

By 2013, sales of 3D TVs had begun to decline sharply. Major broadcasters discontinued their 3D channels—ESPN 3D shut down in 2013, and others soon followed. By 2016, most manufacturers had stopped producing 3D TVs altogether, and by 2017, the format had all but vanished from the market. As of 2025, no major TV manufacturer offers 3D as a standard feature, and 3D TVs are no longer available from mainstream retailers.

Today, 3D TV is considered a fascinating but ultimately short-lived chapter in the history of home entertainment. While a few enthusiasts still enjoy 3D movies at home using older equipment, the mainstream market has moved on. The legacy of 3D TV lives on in the push for more immersive experiences, such as virtual reality and glasses-free 3D displays. For more on the evolution of 3D movies and their ongoing impact, see 3D Movies.