Hologram A hologram was a three - dimensional simulation of an object , animal or person governed by an advanced computer program designed to have a lifelike appearance and behavior . They made up elements of holographic program s that were used for many purposes , including entertainment , training , espionage , and field work . In some cases , the computer program was sophisticated enough that a hologram could be considered self - aware or sentient . ( ; ; ) Design . The appearance of holograms was given by a construction of photon s , force field s , and holomatter , emitted by holographic projector s . Projected light could be held in a magnetic containment field to give the desired appearance as well as provide a solid surface so matter did not pass through the hologram . ( ) They could be projected within an enclosed area like a holodeck or out into an open area on a planet or outer space . ( ; ) The hologram ' s core programming was called its holomatrix and its behavior was guided by an optronic computer program that could be simple or very sophisticated like an artificial intelligence . ( ) Typically , holograms were created inside a holographic research lab , holodeck , or a holosuite , which was lined with holoemitters . ( ) Holograms could be designed by starting with a holographic template that could include physical parameters , a psychological profile , or a personality profile . ( ; ) Once created , a hologram could be modified in certain areas independently of others . For example , its personality , physical parameters or mobility algorithm s could be swapped with different pre - existing ones . ( ; ; ) Security features could also be installed to prevent tampering . ( ) Many holograms were not designed for long - term usage . If a hologram was running continuously , it was possible it could suffer from memory fragmentation . ( ) History . Holograms were made by different cultures over history . The Xyrillian s were the first race known to Human s to possess such technology . ( ) In the 23rd century , the Federation had holographic imager s , but their resolution was less accurate than the technology that would be developed in the 24th century . ( ; ) Holographic recorders that captured motion were common by 2348 . For example , Jack Crusher recorded a message for his son . ( ) " In the alternate reality , Jaylah managed to develop holograms as advanced as those seen a century later . She used them for various means during her life in Altamid , including projectors that hid her makeshift house , the , and a special holodisk that generated various simultaneous images of herself to confuse enemies . " ( ) By the 2250s , some Starfleet vessels , such as the , used early holo - communicator s . ( ) While the technology fell out of use in the following decades , a more advanced version came into use again in the 2370s , installed on ships such as the . ( ) Outside of the Federation , Klingon s and Romulan s were also known to occasionally use such devices . ( ; ) By the 24th century , holodecks and thus holograms were a standard part of Federation life , but generally the holograms were not aware of their own nature , that is , they were not actually self - aware nor sentient . The first hologram who attained true sentience was a simulation of . Upon being made sentient , he demanded that Jean - Luc Picard enable him to leave the confines of the holodeck , despite it not being technologically possible at the time . However , after seizing control of the , he was placed in a virtual reality where he could live out his existence . ( ) Starfleet Intelligence ' s Trojan Horse Project conducted research into using a holographic fly as a surveillance device . ( ) On stardate 48315 , Dr . Lewis Zimmerman created a highly advanced hologram known as the Emergency Medical Hologram , or EMH . These holograms were meant to be used for a short period of time if medical staff needed help or one was absent . There soon became four versions of this program . The Mark 1s soon became obsolete and were sent to dilithium mines . EMHs , due to the advanced nature of their programs , have been known to develop distinct personalities , and therefore sentience , when operated for a long period of time . The first hologram who was able to truly exercise its sentience was the EMH of the . His development was slow but he was gradually accepted as part of the crew as well as a friend . Initially , The Doctor was unable to turn his program on and off at will , but was eventually granted this ability . He was even enabled more freedom through use of his mobile emitter , a piece of 29th century technology , which could store and project a hologram in areas that did not have holoemitters installed . ( ) In 2378 , he made his first holonovel , called " Photons Be Free " , in which he depicted the mistreatment of an EMH by a darker " Voyager " . The Doctor eventually realized , after several arguments with the " Voyager " crew , that the many similarities between the real " Voyager " and his fictional recreation would taint the reputation of his shipmates . He attempted to make revisions to his novel before it was published , hoping to remove the more blatant similarities . However , his publisher had already released the novel and refused to remove it from publication , stating that as holograms weren ' t believed to be sentient , they had no legal rights . He fought for the creative control of his novel , backed by the " Voyager " crew . The courts ruled that , while they couldn ' t yet judge if The Doctor should be defined as a sentient lifeform , they were willing to extend the definition of an artist to include holograms such as The Doctor . This struck the first blow in attaining more rights for sentient holograms , but the damage had been done in The Doctor ' s eyes . The novel had been transmitted and it had been widely disseminated without the revisions , besmirching " Voyager " s reputation . However the crew forgave him for this . " Photons Be Free " later became an inspirational work among the obsolete EMHs doomed to work in mines , its message potentially spearheading a new revolution for the EMHs . ( ) In 2370 , Jadzia Dax and Odo discovered an entirely holographic village on a planet in the Gamma Quadrant . It was created by the village ' s sole flesh - and - bone lifeform , Rurigan . Rurigan had created the settlement after his own home and loved ones were destroyed by the Dominion on Yadera Prime . The holograms were housed in a hologenerator . ( ) In mid 2373 , Starfleet investigated the possibility of a Long - term Medical Holographic program ( LMH ) and considered Deep Space 9 ' s own Julian Bashir as a template . However , when it was discovered that the doctor had undergone illegal genetic enhancement at a young age , he was deemed unsuitable for it . ( ) A Delta Quadrant species , known as the Lokirrim , had enslaved holograms , known as " photonics " to them . They rebelled , leading to a war between the two sides . Lokirrim decompiled " photonics " wherever they were encountered , even on outsider ships . ( ) Additionally , the Hirogen used some of " Voyager " s holographic technology to create new hunting grounds and prey . The Hirogen , however , made the holograms sentient , and quite intelligent , so as to make their prey more challenging . However , these holograms eventually became too smart for the Hirogen , killing many of them and leaving the original confines of the holoships on which they were hunted . During this time , The Doctor experienced emotional turmoil , both due to the nature of the creation of the holograms , and due to the violent nature of their programs . ( ) The Doctor , who had achieved star status among the Qomar for his singing in 2376 , had singing miniature holograms of himself made , and he even performed a duet with one of them on at least one occasion . ( )