Some websites such as MTV and Gizmodo are calling today the 50th birthday of the laser. You see, on March 22 1960, Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow received their U.S. patent on the maser in optical wavelengths (IR, visible, UV), which we now know as a “laser”. Of course, since the patent was filed almost two years earlier, on July 30 1958, you might think THAT date should be the big celebration date of the laser’s invention.
And others might point to the first recorded use of the word “laser”, in lab notes made by Gordon Gould on November 13 1957. Since his notebook predated Townes and Schawlow’s patent application, Gould and his lawyers fought for nearly three decades to overturn the March 22 1960 patent. He finally won his legal battle in 1987 with the issuance of U.S. patent 4,704,583. Ironically, since laser technology had progressed so much since 1960, Gould’s patent royalties were much more valuable due to the 30-year delay than if he had originally filed in 1957.
So when is the laser’s 50th birthday? There is a big difference between inventing something on paper — even at the Patent Office — and having it actually work. The first working laser was demonstrated by Theodore Maiman on May 16 1960. Since that is the first time visible laser light was shown in public, May 16 1960 is probably the best date to pick as the laser’s “birthday”.
The key drawing from the first laser patent approved
