Laser History – The History of Lasers

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. This concept of Stimulated Emission is the basics behind how lasers work and was first theorized by Albert Einstein in 1917.

The word “laser” was first used by Gordon Gould, therefore, there is good reason to believe that he invented and made the first light laser. A doctoral student at Columbia University under Charles Townes (the inventor of the maser), Gordon Gould was inspired to build his optical laser starting in 1958. He tried to patent his this theories in 1959 and was refused. It took until 1977 for Gordon Gould to finally win his patent war and receive his first patent for the laser.

Maser

Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow invented the maser, an acronym for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation in 1954 using ammonia gas and microwave radiation.

While the theory of Stimulated Emission was successfully tested, microwaves were amplified instead of light.

Ruby Laser

Theodore Maiman demonstrated the ruby laser in 1960 and is considered to be the first successful optical or light laser. Many historians claim that Theodore Maiman invented the first optical laser, however, there is some controversy that Gordon Gould was the first.

Gas Laser

The first gas laser, a helium neon or HeNe laser, was invented by Ali Javan in 1960.

Semiconductor Injection Laser

Robert Hall created a revolutionary type of laser in 1962 that is still being used in many electronic appliances and communications systems today.

Carbon Dioxide Laser

Kumar Patel invented the carbon dioxide laser in 1964.

Laser Telemetry

Laser telemetry and targeting systems were invented by Hildreth Walker.

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