Laser Birthday

Happy Birthday, Dear Laser

Photo by Frank Brady

On May 16, 1960 Theodore Maiman and co-workers demonstrated the world's first working laser. LaserFest, spearheaded by APS together with the Optical Society, SPIE and IEEE-Photonics, is a year-long celebration of this anniversary, and on May 16 itself, APS presented a plaque at the very site where the laser was born, Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California. The presentation, part of APS's historic sites initiative, was made by APS President-elect Barry Barish of Caltech, seen on the right side of the photo (in the tan jacket), delivering some remarks, which included reading the text of President Obama's letter that was printed in the June APS News.
Theodore Maiman and Hughes Research Laboratories