From CVR to CVRO: The Past, Present, and Future of Cultural Virtual Reality

The authors first sketch the development of cultural virtual reality (CVR) within the overall context of the development of computing since

the 1940s. After establishing the nature and ubiquity of virtual reality systems, especially in the 1990s, and predicting their further spread

in the coming decade, they argue that the time is ripe for the creation of a new professional association devoted to the computer modeling

of cultural heritage sites. The proposed association will be called CVRO (or, "Cultural Virtual Reality Organization”) – a play on the Latin

word curo ("I care for”; cfr. English "curate”). It will be open to professors, students, and professionals actively engaged in the theory

and practice of cultural virtual reality – the content developers of CVR. The goals of CVRO will include: defining and defending the interests

of its members; holding an annual meeting for the exchange of information; hosting a Web site; and developing aesthetic, scientific, and

technical standards for cultural virtual reality models. Readers wishing to join CVRO are asked to contact one of the co-authors.