The world’s first laser fired once again at the Deutsches Museum during the ‘Lichtfest’ (Light Festival), an event held by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics to commemorate the end of the International Year of Light in December 2015. That this laser remains intact and fully functional, just as it was in 1960, is a wonder. Seeing Ted’s laser up close – it’s small enough to fit in one’s hand – and watching it fire reveals the beautiful simplicity of an invention that’s had such a transformative impact on our lives and is a crucial piece of 20th century scientific history.

Richly rewarded

Surprisingly, considering the importance of the laser to our world today, Ted was never awarded a Nobel Prize for his discovery. In 1984, Ted was awarded the Wolf Prize in Physics for ‘his realization of the first operating laser, the pulsed three level ruby laser’. In 1987, he was honored with the Japan Prize – known as the ‘Nobel of the East’ – ‘for the realization of the world's first laser’. The prize was bestowed upon Ted by Japan’s then-Emperor Hirohito. “The Emperor spoke at that symposium, and he said: ‘Of all the awards that we have given for the Japan Prize to date, Ted received the largest number of votes’,” said Kathleen. Voting to select the winners of the Japan Prize is done by scientists worldwide. “So he really had the support of scientists who believed he should have this high-level prize. And that’s what he was very proud of.”

But the Nobel remained elusive. “He was nominated – we do know that,” said Kathleen. However, at that time, Nobel Prizes tended to go to those in academia. “Industry was considered lowly. As it turns out: the Wright Brothers didn’t get a Nobel Prize. Alexander Graham Bell was not given a Nobel Prize. Or Edison. They were all in industry. So that may have been the way it was viewed back in 1960 – that may be part of the reason.”

Ted passed away in 2007. Fortunately, he lived long enough to see many technology developments in our world that the laser – his invention – enabled, said Kathleen. “I think he’d be feeling immensely proud of this technology that changed our world in a profound way. To have done something for mankind, that seldom happens in such a big way. This was a big leap for mankind. It’s a gift that we’re still unwrapping. Thank you for allowing me to shine light on Ted Maiman’s historic achievement.”