Charles Townes, inventor of the laser beam, dies at 99

The physicist whose invention led to the development of devices to read barcodes, guide missiles and survey the planets has died aged 99. Charles Townes shared the Nobel Prize in 1964 with two Russians for his work on microwave emitting machines called masers which went on to become light-emitting lasers. Working with his brother-in-law Arthur Schawlow, their research began a technological revolution which led to the invention of much of the gadgetry now used in communications, medicine, astronomy as well as everyday items we use at home and work.

I realized there would be many applications for the laser - but it never occurred to me we’d get such power from it.

Charles Townes in 2001

Apparently his idea to develop the laser came in a ‘eureka’ moment while sitting in a Washington park in 1951. He became a celebrity in the 1950s and 1960s when his demonstrations attracted news headlines such as ‘Man Shines Light on the Moon’ and ‘Man Listens for Life on Worlds Afar’. Over six decades, in addition to his work as a scientist, he became an adviser to U.S. Presidents and sat on government policy making bodies.

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