Eric Howlett

Eric Mayorga Howlett (December 27, 1926 – December 11, 2011) was the inventor of the LEEP (Large Expanse Extra Perspective), extreme wide-angle stereoscopic optics used in photographic and virtual reality systems.

According to Wayne Carlson, professor of design at Ohio State University, in 2005:

1980 to 1990 — Operated a proprietorship, POP-OPTIX LABS with revenue from consulting and manufacture of custom optical and electronic devices. The LEEP viewing optics were used in theme park attractions and almost all of the Virtual Reality Headsets (Head-Mounted Displays, or HMDs) sold in the 1980s.

1991 — Founded and operated LEEP Systems, Inc. to market wide angle telepresence and virtual reality systems for research and for medical and military purposes.

2006 — Co-founded LeepVR, Ltd., with his son Alex.