Do You Have Any Stories or Artifacts from the Early Days of Lasers in the 1960s?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around personal stories and artifacts from the early days of lasers in the 1960s, focusing on the development and application of laser technology during that period. Participants express interest in both historical accounts and physical items related to early laser technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong interest in the early days of lasers, specifically from the first half of the 1960s, and invites others to share their experiences or artifacts.
  • Another participant shares a story about a CO2 pulsed laser developed by Ti for range finding, describing its crude nature and a humorous anecdote involving its use with styrofoam cups.
  • A different participant mentions their intention to create a display for the 50th anniversary of the laser, seeking early laser models and related materials, including magazines and marketing content from the 1960s.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a common interest in the history of lasers and the artifacts from that era, but no consensus or resolution on specific stories or items has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants have expressed various interests in specific manufacturers and types of lasers, indicating a diversity of focus within the topic. There are also mentions of different types of materials and artifacts sought, which may reflect varying definitions of what constitutes early laser technology.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the history of technology, collectors of vintage scientific instruments, and those researching the development of laser technology may find this discussion relevant.

BobH
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I'm interested in hearing stories about the very early days of lasers. This is easily one of the top few inventions of the last century, and it's turning 50 next year. I'm particularly interested in the first half of the decade, from handbuilt instruments in labs to on-the-shelf product in many colors and for many applications.

Please contact me, or share your story here about your experiences with lasers from those years. I'm also looking for old lasers of that vintage. Particularly lasers made by Hughes Aircraft Company, Raytheon, Trion, Lear Siegler, Maser Optics, Optics Technology, American Optical, Perkin Elmer, or Spectra-Physics. Also the old gravity bases and Ealing triangular rail carriers and components from the time before metal optical tables.
 
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It's funny you mention this. A friend and I were discussing a CO2 pulsed laser that Ti developed for early range finding. It was a crude monster - used an EG&G triggered spark gap as the switch, and ate pulse capacitors for lunch. He was telling me how the crew like to put styrofoam cups in front of it and let it pop little holes.
 
BobH said:
I'm interested in hearing stories about the very early days of lasers. This is easily one of the top few inventions of the last century, and it's turning 50 next year. I'm particularly interested in the first half of the decade, from handbuilt instruments in labs to on-the-shelf product in many colors and for many applications.

Please contact me, or share your story here about your experiences with lasers from those years. I'm also looking for old lasers of that vintage. Particularly lasers made by Hughes Aircraft Company, Raytheon, Trion, Lear Siegler, Maser Optics, Optics Technology, American Optical, Perkin Elmer, or Spectra-Physics. Also the old gravity bases and Ealing triangular rail carriers and components from the time before metal optical tables.

Welcome to the PF. Fun subject. Are you an author? Or maybe a collector?
 
I'm putting together a display to honour the laser, for its 50th birthday. I'd like to include as many of the very earliest lasers I can find. A few articles will come out of it eventually, and then I'll be looking for a permanent home for those I gather together (and their related ephemera).

I should've mentioned that I'm also looking for old magazines, books or marketing materials about lasers, also from the '60s.

Thanks!