December 1958: Invention of the Laser. Every now and then, a scientific breakthrough occurs that has a revolutionary impact on daily life. One example of this is the invention of the laser, which stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.

What were lasers first used for?

Advancing Science: Before any other application, lasers were used for scientific research. At first, like masers, they were used to study atomic physics and chemistry. But uses were soon found in many fields.

How long have lasers been around?

It was first built by a researcher named Theodore Maiman in May 1960, and announced to the public on July 7 of that year—57 years ago today. Maiman was building on years of work by other physicists, including Charles H. Townes, who later wrote that the laser was described as “a solution looking for a problem.”