IEEE.orgIEEE Xplore Digital LibraryIEEE StandardsMore Sites
      Sign InJoin IEEE
      FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDER
      Explore by topic
      AerospaceArtificial IntelligenceBiomedicalComputingConsumer ElectronicsEnergyHistory of TechnologyRoboticsSemiconductorsSensorsTelecommunicationsTransportation
      IEEE Spectrum
      FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDER

      Topics

      AerospaceArtificial IntelligenceBiomedicalComputingConsumer ElectronicsEnergyHistory of TechnologyRoboticsSemiconductorsSensorsTelecommunicationsTransportation

      Sections

      FeaturesNewsOpinionCareersDIYThe Big PictureEngineering Resources

      More

      Special ReportsCollectionsExplainersPodcastsVideosNewslettersTop Programming LanguagesRobots Guide

      For IEEE Members

      Current IssueMagazine ArchiveThe InstituteTI Archive

      For IEEE Members

      Current IssueMagazine ArchiveThe InstituteTI Archive

      IEEE Spectrum

      About UsContact UsReprints & PermissionsAdvertising

      Follow IEEE Spectrum

      Support IEEE Spectrum

      IEEE Spectrum is the flagship publication of the IEEE — the world’s largest professional organization devoted to engineering and applied sciences. Our articles, podcasts, and infographics inform our readers about developments in technology, engineering, and science.
      Join IEEE
      Subscribe
      About IEEEContact & SupportAccessibilityNondiscrimination PolicyTermsIEEE Privacy Policy
      © Copyright 2023 IEEE — All rights reserved. A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

      IEEE websites place cookies on your device to give you the best user experience. By using our websites, you agree to the placement of these cookies. To learn more, read our Privacy Policy.

      view privacy policy accept & close

      Enjoy more free content and benefits by creating an account

      Saving articles to read later requires an IEEE Spectrum account

      The Institute content is only available for members

      Downloading full PDF issues is exclusive for IEEE Members

      Access to Spectrum's Digital Edition is exclusive for IEEE Members

      Following topics is a feature exclusive for IEEE Members

      Adding your response to an article requires an IEEE Spectrum account

      Create an account to access more content and features on IEEE Spectrum, including the ability to save articles to read later, download Spectrum Collections, and participate in conversations with readers and editors. For more exclusive content and features, consider Joining IEEE.

      Join the world’s largest professional organization devoted to engineering and applied sciences and get access to all of Spectrum’s articles, archives, PDF downloads, and other benefits. Learn more →

      CREATE AN ACCOUNTSIGN IN
      JOIN IEEESIGN IN
      Close

      Special offer: Join IEEE now for 2023 and save 50%!

      IEEE Members receive 12 print issues of IEEE Spectrum and enjoy PDF downloads, full access to our archive with thousands of in-depth articles, and other exclusive content and features. Join IEEE today for 2023 and save 50%!

      JOIN IEEE

      David Kushner

      David Kushner is the author of many books, including Masters of Doom, Jonny Magic & the Card Shark Kids, Levittown, The Bones of Marianna, and Alligator Candy. A contributing editor of Rolling Stone, he has written for publications including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, and The New York Times Magazine.

        FollowUnfollowFollowing
        David Kushner

        David Kushner is the author of many books, including Masters of Doom, Jonny Magic & the Card Shark Kids, Levittown, The Bones of Marianna, and Alligator Candy. A contributing editor of Rolling Stone, he has written for publications including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, and The New York Times Magazine.

          FollowUnfollowFollowing
          Articles by
          Virtual-reality pioneer Philip Rosedale in photo-illustration
          TelecommunicationsTopicTypeFeature

          Beyond Second Life: Philip Rosedale’s Gutsy Plan for a New Virtual-Reality Empire

          High Fidelity’s decentralized architecture aims to power the next generation of virtual-reality worlds

          30 Jan 2017
          12 min read
          Oculus Rift Takes Virtual Reality Mainstream
          Consumer ElectronicsTopicTypeFeatureSpectrum Collections

          Oculus Rift Takes Virtual Reality Mainstream

          Start-up Oculus VR's affordable headset incorporates smartphone technology

          31 Dec 2013
          7 min read
          Ender’s Game is Already a Reality for the U.S. Military
          ComputingTopicTypeFeature

          Ender’s Game is Already a Reality for the U.S. Military

          Troops are being trained with military technology inspired by an iconic science fiction novel

          31 Oct 2013
          11 min read

          Trending Stories

          The most-read stories on IEEE Spectrum right now

          TelecommunicationsTopicTypeComputingNews

          This Mirror Reverses How Light Travels in Time

          TransportationTopicTypeAnalysis

          What Is Tesla’s Mystery Magnet?

          RoboticsTopicTypeNews

          Agility’s Latest Digit Robot Prepares for Its First Job

          About IEEEContact & SupportAccessibilityNondiscrimination PolicyTermsIEEE Privacy Policy
          © Copyright 2023 IEEE — All rights reserved. A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.