Surround Video

Surround Video was a Microsoft technology, announced as a competitor, to Apple's QuickTime VR for creating panoramic 360-degree 3D images. It was evaluated by reviewers as an equal to Quicktime VR. Despite never having shipped as an actual end-user product, Microsoft released a "Surround Video" ActiveX control. 
The Surround Video control was used by websites such as CarPoint and Expedia. It also ships as part of Encarta encyclopedia where it is used for panoramic interactivities.
A somewhat similar modern initiative by Microsoft is Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth.