7 JULY 1989

Model headsup helmet covered in small labels, the base bearing a plaque reading: "Helmetum Displasius Tactillius Momentos / AWARDED TO / Dr. Thomas A. Furness III, USAF/AAMRL/HEA / Date: July 7th 1989"

Awarded to Dr. Tom Furness as a going-away statuette from the Air Force. Tom Furness (b.1943) is a pioneer in the fields of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), with significant contributions to both technology and applications, particularly in the context of aviation. He began his career in the United States Air Force as a pilot and flight surgeon. His experiences in aviation sparked his interest in human factors and how technology could enhance human-machine interactions. Furness is widely recognized as the grandfather of VR and has received numerous awards for his contributions, including the IEEE Virtual Reality Career Award and the Discover Magazine Award for Technological Innovation. He is also known for co-founding the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab) at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1989. This helmet was given to Dr. Furness to celebrate his leaving the Air Force, each label referencing a milestone moment of Furness' career.
10¹⁄₂ in. (26.7 cm.) high, 15¹⁄₂ in. (39.4 cm.) wide, 12 in. (30.5 cm) deep

HIT Lab.