The story of the laser’s invention is one of perseverance, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of an idea. Not giving up is more than a saying. It is at the heart of many an achievement and an achiever. At the center of this is Gordon Gould, a physicist whose name is synonymous with one of the most transformative inventions of the 20th century. Gordon was born on July 17, 1920, in New York City but his road to the rewards for having invented the Laser was not easy. Gould’s journey to inventing and then ultimately getting credit for having invented the laser was marked by a series of challenges and triumphs that ultimately reshaped the landscape of modern technology.
Gould’s fascination with physics and optics began when he was a college student at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. where he pursued a degree in physics. His intellectual curiosity and passion for exploration led him to pursue further studies at Yale University, where he completed his Ph.D. in physics in 1948. But Gordon also studied at Columbia University in New York and it was during his time at Columbia that his interest in the theoretical possibility of a laser—a device that could produce a powerful, coherent beam of light—began to take shape.
PERSEVERANCE: In 1949 Gould returned to his studies in optics, and enrolled at Columbia University in New York. It was there at Columbia University that Gould met Charles Townes, the person who invented the maser (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) and who together with Soviet physicists Aleksandr M. Prokhorov and Nikolay G. Basov jointly won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1964 for his role in the invention of the maser. But at Columbia, Gordon told Townes of his discovery of the Laser – and Townes took credit for Gould’s discovery of the Laser. It took Gould years of litigation to get credit for having discovered the Laser – and not Townes – but he eventually prevailed and after 30 years of litigation, Gould was eventually given the credit for having discovered the Laser – as well as the rights to this discovery and the financial rewards that came with that.
W. CLEMENT STONE: The key in life is Perseverance. As W. Clement Stone the American businessman, philanthropist, and author, noted for his incredible success in the insurance industry and for his commitment to personal development and positive thinking is credited by many as having said: “Perseverance in life is the key. The world is full of intelligent people who did not persevere and failed.” Gould persevered and litigated against Townes for 30 years and eventually Gould was given credit for his invention of the Laser and Townes was not able to steal (as some courts alleged) Gould’s discovery.
HOW DID GOULD DO IT? In 1957, while working as a researcher at Columbia, Gould outlined his ideas for a laser in a notebook. He coined the term “LASER,” an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation,” capturing the essence of the device he envisioned. Gould’s concept involved using a medium—such as a crystal or gas—stimulated by energy to emit photons in a coherent manner, resulting in a concentrated beam of light.
Despite his groundbreaking ideas, as we have mentioned above, Gould faced numerous challenges in bringing his invention to fruition. One significant hurdle was the lack of financial resources to fund his research. Additionally, Gould found himself embroiled in a protracted 30-year legal battle against Townes over the patent rights to the laser. His notebook, containing the initial sketches and concepts of the laser, became the subject of contention as multiple parties vied for ownership of the invention.
For years, Gould fought to secure recognition for his role in the invention of the laser. His persistence paid off in 1977 when the United States Patent and Trademark Office finally granted him the first patent for the optically pumped laser. This landmark decision affirmed Gould’s status as the inventor of the laser, cementing his place in scientific history.
The impact of Gould’s invention cannot be overstated. The laser has become an indispensable tool in numerous fields, ranging from telecommunications and manufacturing to medicine and research. Its applications are vast and diverse, ranging from precision surgery and laser eye correction to barcode scanning and high-speed internet communication.
Moreover, the laser has sparked innovations in areas beyond its original conception. From the development of compact disc players and laser printers to advancements in spectroscopy and materials processing, the laser’s versatility has opened up new frontiers in technology and science.
Gordon Gould’s journey from visionary physicist to the inventor of the laser serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. His pioneering work not only revolutionized the field of optics but also laid the foundation for countless technological breakthroughs that continue to shape our world today.
In conclusion, Gordon Gould’s contributions to science and technology epitomize the spirit of innovation and discovery. His invention of the laser stands as a monumental achievement that has transformed the way we perceive and interact with light, leaving an indelible mark on human progress and the quest for knowledge.
