A machine-implemented method includes establishing a virtual or augmented reality entity, and establishing a state for the entity having a state time and state properties including a state spatial arrangement. The data entity and state are stored, and are subsequently received and outputted at a time other than the state time so as to exhibit a “virtual history machine” functionality. An apparatus includes a processor, a data store, and an output. A data entity establisher, a state establisher, a storer, a data entity receiver, a state receiver, and an outputter are instantiated on the processor.