Charles Hard Townes

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Charles Hard Townes is the inventor of the laser. He was born on July 28, 1915, in Greenville, South Carolina. Townes was a very bright student as a child, and recieved a bachelor's degree in physics and modern languages. Townes later recived a master's in physics at Duke University in 1936, and a Ph.D. in 1939. From 1933-47, Townes worked at Bell Telephone Labs and designed advanced bombing radar and other technology for WWII soliders. Townes later turned toward microwave research.

Townes joined the faculty of Columbia University in 1948, and in 1951, he concieved the idea of the maser. Maser stood for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, and it amplified microwaves for more efficiency. A working maser was built three years later.His most famous invention, this idea later evolved into what we know as the laser. The acronym was the same, except the "microwave" became "light." This happened when Townes and his brother-in-law, Dr. A.L. Schawlow showed that masers could work on an optical and infrared level. The idea evolved into the laser, which amplified light, not microwaves. In addition, Townes conducted astronomical research that led to the first measurment of our galaxy's central black hole. These discoveries provided Townes with more and more promotions in Columbia University until in 1953, he became the Chairman of Physics.

From there on, Townes cycled through many different jobs, working in universities, as a lecturer, and improving his laser. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, and recived many other awards. His laser was one of the world's most important inventions, and his work did not go unnoticed. Today. Today, Townes lives with wife in Berkley, California. He has four daughters, and is 93 years old.