Theodore Maiman

Theodore Maiman demonstrated the first operational laser at Hughes Research Laboratories on 16 May 1960, using a synthetic ruby crystal. Lasers now underpin fibre-optic communications, precision surgery, manufacturing processes, and CD/DVD/Blu-ray players worth trillions of dollars annually.

• Lived: 1927 CE – 2007 CE
• Nationality: american
• Roles: physicist, inventor