Tom Furness

Tom Furness Tom has a premium accountClick to upgrade to Premium Professor, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, United States 500+ connections Contact info Virtual World Society University of Southampton About For 54 years I have been building interfaces between humans and machines that unlock human intelligence and link minds. This has led to the invention and development of what we know today as virtual and augmented reality. Along with a few dozen inventions, my students and colleagues have spun off more than 25 companies working in the VR/AR space. I have also been fascinated with the interaction of light and matter and the whole subject of how we can use light, not only to communicate information to our senses, but also to probe the inner reaches of our bodies to assess health and well-being. During my journey I have worked with many wonderful people, students and colleagues, who have become good friends. I am excited about life and the future and want to help turn the hearts of the children into making the world a better place. I just celebrated my 77th birthday! About the Virtual World Society (www.virtualworldsociety.org) Being the grandfather of virtual reality (https://vimeo.com/113259572) An audio interview on Patterns of Success (http://patternsofsuccess.com/3/) Another audio interview on Voices of VR: (http://voicesofvr.com/245-50-years-of-vr-with-tom-furness-the-super-cockpit-virtual-retinal-display-hit-lab-virtual-world-society/) My Augmented World Expo – 2015 Talk: Being the Future (https://youtu.be/zr89F88AuUI) Interview with NPR (http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/12/17/459839163/grandfather-of-vr-the-virtual-can-show-the-beauty-of-the-real) 2016 Proto Founders Award (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13KD_jKKv8s) Please note that only 10 patents are listed here out of 22 issued and 9 pending. Experience Virtual World Society Founder Company NameVirtual World Society Dates EmployedJan 2014 – Present Employment Duration7 yrs 2 mos LocationGreater Seattle Area www.virtualworldsociety.org GIRLS STEAM INSTITUTE Board Member Company NameGIRLS STEAM INSTITUTE Dates EmployedJul 2020 – Present Employment Duration8 mos University of Washington Professor Company NameUniversity of Washington Dates Employed1989 – Present Employment Duration32 yrs LocationSeattle, WA, USA Department Affiliations: Industrial & Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Human Centered Design & Engineering Human Interface Technology Laboratory International Director Company NameHuman Interface Technology Laboratory Dates EmployedSep 1989 – Present Employment Duration31 yrs 6 mos LocationUniversity of Washington academic research, development and application of advanced human interface technologies Pulse Tectonics General Manager Company NamePulse Tectonics Dates Employed2014 – Present Employment Duration7 yrs Developing an early warning system for cardiovascular disease. Show 5 more experiences Education University of Southampton University of Southampton Degree NamePh.D.Field Of StudyEngineering and Applied Science Dates attended or expected graduation1977 – 1981 Duke University Duke University Degree NameBSEEField Of StudyElectrical Engineering Dates attended or expected graduation1961 – 1966 Activities and Societies: Arnold Air Society Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Air Force ROTC Intervarsity Christian Fellowship IEEE Student Chapter Graduate Studies in Electrical Engineering (Ohio State University) Ph.D. Engineering and Applied Science (University of Southampton-England) -1977-1981