stereoscopic cinema has been a long time in coming to the mainstream. by stereoscopic, i am referring to cinema in which a slightly different image is delivered to each eye, giving a sense of 3d to the experience, and something of a feeling of actually being in the film.

stereoscopic interfaces have been around in computing circles for several decades now, and there are a plethora of different methods available. some require special glbumes, whilst others do not. cinema has always had a tendency to stick with anaglyph systems, as represented by the all-too familiar coloured glbumes:

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anaglyph glbumes

has the reliance on this method of projection, with polarised colour filters for each eye, held back widespread adoption of 3d prior to this point? they have had a ‘dork’ stigma since the 80s, does that factor into things? or do you simply feel mainstream audience was not ready for the effect, regardless of the technology used?

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still from an early anaglyph film print (1950s)