Palmer Freeman Luckey (born September 19, 1992, in Long Beach, California) is an American entrepreneur and inventor renowned for his contributions to virtual reality and defense technology. Homeschooled and self-taught, he developed a passion for technology early on, funding his experiments through various jobs. At age 19 in 2012, he founded Oculus VR and designed the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, which revitalized the VR industry. His prototype gained attention after he posted designs online, leading to a collaboration with John Carmack that propelled the project forward. In 2014, Facebook acquired Oculus VR for $2 billion, and Luckey served as CEO until 2017, when he was fired amid controversies related to his political activities. Following his departure, he founded Anduril Industries in 2017, a defense technology company specializing in AI-driven military hardware such as autonomous drones and sensors, positioning itself as a key player in modern warfare technology. Luckey ranked number 22 on Forbes' 2016 List of America's Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40, and as of November 2025, Forbes valued his net worth at $3.5 billion. His career highlights a shift from VR enthusiast to military tech innovator, drawing attention for his unconventional path and bold technological visions.