The Incredible (And Sometimes Edible) Laser

They're Everywhere

[digitalghost]

The Google homepage image today wasn't very interesting, but the story of the laser is.

When the first working laser was reported in 1960, it was described as "a solution looking for a problem." But before long the laser's distinctive qualities—its ability to generate an intense, very narrow beam of light of a single wavelength—were being harnessed for science, technology and medicine. Today, lasers are everywhere: from research laboratories at the cutting edge of quantum physics to medical clinics, supermarket checkouts and the telephone network.

First Laser Invented [press.uchicago.edu]

My favorite use of a laser should have settled the moon landing conspiracy questions long ago, but for some reason, those old codgers refuse to acknowledge the experiment. ;)

The ruby laser was used in many early spectacular experiments. One amusing one, in 1969, sent a light beam to the Moon, where it was reflected back from a retro-reflector placed on the Moon's surface by astronauts in the U.S. Apollo program

[King_Fisher]

If my memory serves me correctly I seem to remember that the laser to the moon
experiment failed. Something about the target not being positioned correctly.
Am I off base here?...KF

[LifeinAsia]

Sounds like it's still working [lpi.usra.edu]. :)

[rocker]

In 1964, during Operation Grand Slam, Goldfinger considered cutting James Bond in half with a laser, but changed his mind. However, he was able to successfully cut down a metal door at Fort Knox with it.