The process which makes lasers possible, Stimulated Emission, was proposed in 1917 by Albert Einstein. No one realized the incredible potential of this concept until the 1950's, when practical research was first performed on applying the theory of stimulated emission to making lasers. It wasn't until 1960 that the first true laser was made by Theodore Maimam, out of synthetic ruby. Many ideas for laser applications quickly followed, including some that never worked, like the laser eraser. Still, the early pioneers of laser technology would be shocked and amazed to see the multitude of ways that lasers are used by everyone, everyday, in today's world.

Take a look at how lasers are being used everyday.