About
By 3D creators, for 3D creators.
Goodbye, Goggles
No dystopian futures allowed.
We live in 3D. Everything we see and do and touch in the real world is three-dimensional. And yet, most of our digital work and play remains trapped in flat, 2D screens.
Meanwhile, the tech industry has put forth AR and VR as its solution. We strap bulky, uncomfortable headgear to our faces, in search of digital wonder. In our tireless quest for immersion, we’ve forgotten the best 3D experience of all: the ones shared in physical space with real human beings.
Our mission
We’re chasing a more human future. Say hello to holograms.
Looking Glass Factory’s holographic displays facilitate shared experiences with virtual content in the real world. In our vision of the future, technology doesn’t isolate us. It makes our human connections stronger.
No headsets separate us. Instead of escaping to other worlds, we bring magic into our own.
The Hologram through the ages
1650
Magic lantern invented.
Dubbed lanterna magica, this early invention uses a concave mirror behind a light source to project images on glass plates onto walls.
1851
First stereoscopes shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851.
The hand-held devices hold left- and right-eye views of the same scene, which create a single 3D image. Great for individuals but not for groups.
1890
The kaiserpanorama is invented.
With this new format, multiple viewing stations allow people to view a rotating set of stereoscopic glass slides. Groups can finally share a 3D experience — even if a bit awkward.
1920
Louis Lumiere invents Photo-stéréo-synthèse.
An inventor of modern cinema, Lumiere is fascinated by stereoscopic photographs. Though he develops a process for projecting "cinema in relief", the market is not yet ready for his work.
1947
Dennis Gabor invents conventional holography.
While working at a heavy industrial company, electrical engineer Dennis Gabor pioneered a technique to obtain a complete "holo-spatial" picture of real three-dimensional objects.
1956
Forbidden Planet becomes first film to depict a hologram.
In this genre classic, space colonist Dr. Morbius speaks to his daughter Altaira by way of hologram — a precursor to Star Trek and Star Wars years later.
1989
Back to the Future Part II shark hologram strikes!
In 1989’s version of 2015, a holographic shark is used to promote Jaws 19 at the Holomax Theater. It still looks fake to Marty McFly.
2010
Single color 2-second refresh holographic display developed at University of Arizona.
A holographic display system refreshes every two seconds, allowing researchers to send live 3-D images. Lack of color and slow refresh rate restricts the tech to university labs.
2012
Adventure Time depicts the holo-message player in episode, "Dad's Dungeon".
Holo technology allows the inhabitants of the Land of Ooo to view projected media. Finn and Jake watch Joshua's messages to navigate to the end of Joshua’s dungeon.
2015
Looking Glass Factory creates a new type of volumetric display, Volume.
Looking Glass Factory’s first personal volumetric display uses proprietary "lightfolding" technology to project millions of points of colored lights into its glass display.
2017
Looking Glass Factory creates a new type of advanced lightfield display, HoloPlayer One.
Looking Glass Factory’s next product generates up to 32 viewing angles at 32+ frames per second, creating a 3D image that floats above a pane of glass.
2018
Looking Glass Factory launches the Looking Glass to 3D creators worldwide.
Looking Glass Factory realizes the dream of the hologram through the Looking Glass’ unique combination of volumetric and lightfield technologies.
We’ve found our tribe of makers.
Looking Glass Factory is a team of inventors, engineers, game devs, artists, and candlestick makers. Together, we’re realizing the cinematic dream we were all promised in Star Wars, Iron Man, and Minority Report.
A restored glass factory in Brooklyn.
We’re headquartered in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Email us to arrange a visit, and see the Looking Glass for yourself.
Address
95 Commercial St, Unit E, Brooklyn, NY 11222
An industrial buildng in Hong Kong.
We’re assembling the first hundred Looking Glass units in our Hong Kong lab. Are you ready?
Address
123 Sesame Street, Unit 3B, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
Standard Looking Glass
8.9” in size. For individual 3D creators and developers.
Large Looking Glass
15.6” in size. For larger scenes and presentation displays.
Shipping as early as September 2018
See your 3D creations the way they were meant to be seen. Place a Looking Glass on your desk this fall. Pre-orders starting at $599 $399. For a limited time only.