Charles Townes, 99, inventor of laser, dies

The Top 100 Things I’d Do
If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord

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This is sad news. I've been working on a Christian novel for several years. The initial section (about 75 pages) deals with the invention of the MASER/LASER as recounted in Towne's book "How the LASER Happened: Adventures of a Scientist".

My story includes a fictional account of Dr. Townes and his future brother-in-law Art Schawlow as they journey through the various people and circumstances that lead to their discoveries - unknowingly assisted along the way by a couple of other quirky characters.

I actually have a personal letter from him from a few years ago where he politely explained he did not have time to read my manuscript. I had hoped to get it published before he passed away. he would have been 100 this July.

I should have added that I had a lengthy conversation with Dr. Helmut (Hap) Schulz shortly before he passed away a few years ago. He provided the initial $10,000 funding to Townes that led to the discovery of the MASER/LASER. He represented Union Carbon Corp - later Union Carbide and was searching for scientist to research higher frequency tracking capabilities - this was in the later 40s shortly after the invention of RADAR. that started a long relationship between Schulz and Townes.

Schulz was a very interesting character - he was blinded in a lab accident while a graduate student at Columbia University, but continued with his studies. He actually attributed his "handicap" as a tool since he encouraged him to perform "mind experiments" and enhanced his analytical skills as it forced him to ponder more and physically experiment less. He went on to eventually work for the US DoD and oversaw several hundred rocket scientists. He was also recognized as a distinguished graduate of Columbia University.

Zack: Whoa! Is that the laser? It’s bitchin’.

Sheldon: Yes. In 1917, when Albert Einstein established the theoretic foundation for the laser in his paper Zur Quantentheorie der Strahlung, his fondest hope was that the resultant device be bitchin’.

Rest in peace Professor Townes. Saw my first laser in about 1966 in Albuquerque. I was in Boy Scouts and a scientist from Sandia Labs brought one to demostrate for our Troop. It was amazing then and still amazing to this day.

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