Overview

In How the Laser Happened, Nobel laureate Charles Townes provides a highly personal look at some of the leading events in twentieth-century physics. Townes was inventor of the maser, of which the laser is one example; an originator of spectroscopy using microwaves; and a pioneer in the study of gas clouds in galaxies and around stars. Throughout his career he has also been deeply engaged with issues outside of academic research. He worked on applied research projects for Bell Labs; served on the board of directors for General Motors; and devoted extensive effort to advising the government on science, policy, and defense. This memoir traces his multifaceted career from its beginnings on the family farm in South Carolina. Spanning decades of ground-breaking research, the book provides a hands-on description of how working scientists and inventors get their ideas. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific community, showing how scientists respond to new ideas and how they approach a variety of issues, from priority and patents to the social and political implications of their work. In addition, Townes touches on the sociology of science, uncovering some of the traditions and values that are invisible to an outsider. A towering and energetic figure, Townes has explored or pioneered most of the roles available to the modern scientist. In addition to fundamental research, he was actively involved in the practical uses of the laser and in the court cases to defend the patent rights. He was a founding member of the Jasons, an influential group of scientists that independently advises the government on defense policy, and he played an active part in scientific decisions and policies from the Truman through the Reagan administration. This lively memoir, packed with first-hand accounts and historical anecdotes, is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of science and an inspiring example for students considering scientific careers.

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9780195122688

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Reviews

... marvellous ... demonstrates how curiosity-driven research can have unexpected and extraordinary practical ramifications ... not only about the evolution of the laser but also serves as a brief autobiography of Charles Townes ... Although brief this book is fascinating reading. If a friend or a politician should ask you, Why does one do science and what is the benefit to society? I recommend that you give him or her a copy of How the Laser Happened. ISIS

"""Filled with personal anecdotes that provide insight into an immensely original thinker and scientist of enormous energy and prolific output....[Includes] a fascinating account of the patent disputes surrounding the maser and laser....[Provides] an inspiring case history of how an outstanding physicist got started and went on to do great science.""--Steven Chu, cowinner of the 1997 Nobel Prize for Physics, in Physics Today ""Nobel prize winning physicist Charles Townes invites the reader to enjoy a delightful peek into the mind of a scientific inventor. In How the Laser Happened(1999) Townes describes his career and accomplishments and other imaginative endeavors. This personal and readable autobiography humanizes science and provides an inspiring portrait of a career in scientific exploration and invention.""--Science & Theology News ""An engaging human story, intertwined with a first-hand account of some of the twentieth century's most significant inventions and discoveries. Fine reading for anyone interested in science, scientists, or the roles they play in our fast-changing world."" --Arno Penzias, Nobel Laureate in Physics and former Chief Scientist of Bell Labs ""In this exciting book, Charles Townes recounts how masers and lasers first appeared in his life and how they accompanied him throughout his scientific career. The book reveals the life of an outstanding scientist deeply engaged in his research, and shows how a scientific career can be shaped by encounters, discussions, and interactions with colleagues, and by periods of solitary thinking and a commitment to independent work. The book is also a perfect illustration of the importance of basic science: when the laser was invented, no one expected it would have such dramatic applications."" --Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Professor of Atomic and Molecular Physics at the College de France in Paris and winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics ""In this book one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century tells the story of his life, discoveries, and inventions, which include the maser and the laser. Charles Townes's pioneering research in microwave spectroscopy produced a wealth of new information on molecules and even on the masses of atoms and the structure of their nuclei. These studies also made it possible to discover and understand spectra of molecules in space and near astronomical objects like stars. They helped to provide compelling evidence for a giant black hole at the center of our galaxy. Townes also tells of his involvement in advising the government and of the problems of trying to give unbiased scientific advice in a political atmosphere. In all, a fascinating story of science and the people who discover it. The book is hard to put down."" --Arthur Schawlow, Nobel Laureate in Physics and Emeritus Professor at Stanford University ""No one thing has changed our lives more--and promises to continue to do so--than the laser. Its applications, already too numerous to list, include CD read-outs, grocery store check-outs, medical imaging, and myriad industrial and military uses. The story of how the laser came about--the background, the physics, the sociology, and the personalities involved--are all told in this well-written and delightful book by one of the most important scientists of the century."" --Andrew Sessler, Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and past President of the American Physical Society ""Charles Townes has written a superb and exciting book. Over and above the wonderful story of the laser is a fascinating and honest autobiography of a true scientist who has made profound contributions to science, technology, and, as an advisor, to industry and government."" --Marvin L. Goldberger, Dean, UCSD Natural Sciences, and President Emeritus of the California Institute of Technology ""The 1964 Nobel Prized in Physics was awarded to Townes with Nikolai Basov and Alexander Prokhorov for 'fundamental work in quantum electronics which led to the production of oscillators and amplifiers according to the maser-laser principle.' The first maser was made to work by Townes in 1954, using ammonia to produce coherent microwave radiation. This led various groups to consider how to produce an oscillator operating in the visible part of the spectrum, as was ultimately achieved in 1960; the progenitor of the now ubiquitous laser. . . . This autobiography teaches one man's lesson from the life of science: 'Throughout my career I have had to convince others, including sponsors, to let me keep following my own instincts and interests. Very often, this pays off.' And, 'A good scientist ... must rely mainly and often stubbornly on his own judgment.'""--American Scientist ""'In the early days of the laser, people kidded me that it was a solution looking for a problem,' remarked Charles H. Townes, member of the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley. In 1964, Townes shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Soviet scientists Alexander Prokhorov and Nicolai Basov for fundamental work in quantum electronics, which led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle. . . . In Townes's view, the unexpected richness of the laser's history in science and engineering points up a vital lesson: 'As a society, we must be sure we don't focus all efforts just on things we are sure will pay off economically. We need to devote some resources to exploring things that may revolutionize our understanding. We must continually emphasize that, and take the risk. . . .'""--IEEE Spectrum ""In this delightful book, Nobel Laureate Charles Townes provides a highly personal look at some of the leading events in twentieth century physics. Townes was the co-inventor of the maser, the forerunner of the laser, and a pioneer of the study of gas clouds in inter-stellar space where natural masers and lasers were discovered. These memoirs trace his career from the beginnings on the family farm in South Carolina to his Nobel prize and beyond. There is fascinating material on Townes' interaction with other scientists and scientific managers and also about his long association with Bell Laboratories. We also learn about the trials and tribulations about getting a patent and the subsequent litigation that seems almost inevitable when large sums of money are at stake. This is a fascinating book and so well written that this reviewer read it from cover to cover in only two sittings.""--Annals of Nuclear Energy ""The whole of mankind is fascinated now by the laser . . . The lasing process stemmed from many preceding physics discoveries beginning with Einstein's Zurich lecture on radiation . . . in which he introduced his A and B coefficients that held the secret of stimulated emission. That this world shattering advance was not recognized by the giants in science is really astonishing. There were some dark clouds through which this discovery of our century (next to quantum theory and relativity) had to shine, but it was Charles Townes who finally saw the light, if you will excuse the pun. It is a revelation to read now what Townes, the practical creator of the laser, has to say: modest, quiet, but true and fascinating. . . . I think it is characteristically modest the way that he says if he had not succeeded others would have got it within ten years, or at least after they saw lasing in the cosmos. Most readers of this fine book will be convinced that this is a clear understatement.""--The Physicist ""Filled with personal anecdotes that provide insight into an immensely original thinker and scientist of enormous energy and prolific output....[Includes] a fascinating account of the patent disputes surrounding the maser and laser....[Provides] an inspiring case history of how an outstanding physicist got started and went on to do great science.""--Steven Chu, cowinner of the 1997 Nobel Prize for Physics, in Physics Today ""Nobel prize winning physicist Charles Townes invites the reader to enjoy a delightful peek into the mind of a scientific inventor. In How the Laser Happened(1999) Townes describes his career and accomplishments and other imaginative endeavors. This personal and readable autobiography humanizes science and provides an inspiring portrait of a career in scientific exploration and invention.""--Science & Theology News ""An engaging human story, intertwined with a first-hand account of some of the twentieth century's most significant inventions and discoveries. Fine reading for anyone interested in science, scientists, or the roles they play in our fast-changing world."" --Arno Penzias, Nobel Laureate in Physics and former Chief Scientist of Bell Labs ""In this exciting book, Charles Townes recounts how masers and lasers first appeared in his life and how they accompanied him throughout his scientific career. The book reveals the life of an outstanding scientist deeply engaged in his research, and shows how a scientific career can be shaped by encounters, discussions, and interactions with colleagues, and by periods of solitary thinking and a commitment to independent work. The book is also a perfect illustration of the importance of basic science: when the laser was invented, no one expected it would have such dramatic applications."" --Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Professor of Atomic and Molecular Physics at the College de France in Paris and winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics ""In this book one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century tells the story of his life, discoveries, and inventions, which include the maser and the laser. Charles Townes's pioneering research in microwave spectroscopy produced a wealth of new information on molecules and even on the masses of atoms and the structure of their nuclei. These studies also made it possible to discover and understand spectra of molecules in space and near astronomical objects like stars. They helped to provide compelling evidence for a giant black hole at the center of our galaxy. Townes also tells of his involvement in advising the government and of the problems of trying to give unbiased scientific advice in a political atmosphere. In all, a fascinating story of science and the people who discover it. The book is hard to put down."" --Arthur Schawlow, Nobel Laureate in Physics and Emeritus Professor at Stanford University ""No one thing has changed our lives more--and promises to continue to do so--than the laser. Its applications, already too numerous to list, include CD read-outs, grocery store check-outs, medical imaging, and myriad industrial and military uses. The story of how the laser came about--the background, the physics, the sociology, and the personalities involved--are all told in this well-written and delightful book by one of the most important scientists of the century."" --Andrew Sessler, Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and past President of the American Physical Society ""Charles Townes has written a superb and exciting book. Over and above the wonderful story of the laser is a fascinating and honest autobiography of a true scientist who has made profound contributions to science, technology, and, as an advisor, to industry and government."" --Marvin L. Goldberger, Dean, UCSD Natural Sciences, and President Emeritus of the California Institute of Technology ""The 1964 Nobel Prized in Physics was awarded to Townes with Nikolai Basov and Alexander Prokhorov for 'fundamental work in quantum electronics which led to the production of oscillators and amplifiers according to the maser-laser principle.' The first maser was made to work by Townes in 1954, using ammonia to produce coherent microwave radiation. This led various groups to consider how to produce an oscillator operating in the visible part of the spectrum, as was ultimately achieved in 1960; the progenitor of the now ubiquitous laser. . . . This autobiography teaches one man's lesson from the life of science: 'Throughout my career I have had to convince others, including sponsors, to let me keep following my own instincts and interests. Very often, this pays off.' And, 'A good scientist ... must rely mainly and often stubbornly on his own judgment.'""--American Scientist ""'In the early days of the laser, people kidded me that it was a solution looking for a problem,' remarked Charles H. Townes, member of the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley. In 1964, Townes shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Soviet scientists Alexander Prokhorov and Nicolai Basov for fundamental work in quantum electronics, which led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle. . . . In Townes's view, the unexpected richness of the laser's history in science and engineering points up a vital lesson: 'As a society, we must be sure we don't focus all efforts just on things we are sure will pay off economically. We need to devote some resources to exploring things that may revolutionize our understanding. We must continually emphasize that, and take the risk. . . .'""--IEEE Spectrum ""In this delightful book, Nobel Laureate Charles Townes provides a highly personal look at some of the leading events in twentieth century physics. Townes was the co-inventor of the maser, the forerunner of the laser, and a pioneer of the study of gas clouds in inter-stellar space where natural masers and lasers were discovered. These memoirs trace his career from the beginnings on the family farm in South Carolina to his Nobel prize and beyond. There is fascinating material on Townes' interaction with other scientists and scientific managers and also about his long association with Bell Laboratories. We also learn about the trials and tribulations about getting a patent and the subsequent litigation that seems almost inevitable when large sums of money are at stake. This is a fascinating book and so well written that this reviewer read it from cover to cover in only two sittings.""--Annals of Nuclear Energy ""The whole of mankind is fascinated now by the laser . . . The lasing process stemmed from many preceding physics discoveries beginning with Einstein's Zurich lecture on radiation . . . in which he introduced his A and B coefficients that held the secret of stimulated emission. That this world shattering advance was not recognized by the giants in science is really astonishing. There were some dark clouds through which this discovery of our century (next to quantum theory and relativity) had to shine, but it was Charles Townes who finally saw the light, if you will excuse the pun. It is a revelation to read now what Townes, the practical creator of the laser, has to say: modest, quiet, but true and fascinating. . . . I think it is characteristically modest the way that he says if he had not succeeded others would have got it within ten years, or at least after they saw lasing in the cosmos. Most readers of this fine book will be convinced that this is a clear understatement.""--The Physicist ""This memoir, from Townes, one of the coinventors of the laser, should appeal to several audiences. Professionals in physics, engineering, and other closely related sciences will enjoy seeing how the interplay of those disciplines led to the invention of one of the most useful devices of the 20th century. Students from high school onward who might be considering a career in science will be surprised at the range of activities that can be part of the working life of a successful scientist . . . Readers outside the technical professions will gain insight into the culture of science, particularly as it existed and interacted with the government during the middle years of this century. The formal yet conversational style emphasizes the importance Townes places on interactions between scientists. A brief introductory chapter discusses the basic principles of lasers and some of their many applications. The rest of the book is autobiographical . . . All levels.""--Choice ""This memoir provides a first-hand account of some of the leading events in twentieth-century spectroscopy. Townes won the Nobel Prize for his role in the invention of the maser and laser. He explored or pioneered most of the roles available to the modern scientist. In addition to fundamental research, he was actively involved in the practical uses of the laser and in the court cases to defend the patent rights. He was a founding member of the Jasons, a group of scientists that independently advises the government on defense policy, and he played an active part in scientific decisions and policies from the Truman through the Reagan administrations. His memoir provides an interesting look at the process by which a working scientist got his ideas and a behind-the-scenes view of the scientific community, showing how scientists respond to new ideas and how they approach a variety of issues, including the political implications of their work.""--Applied Spectroscopy ""This delightful book by Charles Hard Townes, without doubt one of the greatest physicists of the twentieth century, is a biography of sorts. . . . Townes shared a Nobel prize in 1964 for his 'fundamental work in the field of quantum mechanics, which . . . led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle.' His contributions to science over several decades have covered a much wider area, including nonlinear optics, microwave spectroscopy, and astrophysics. . . . All in all, this book is a valuable contribution to the history of modern physics and technology by one of the giants of the century. It is a short, tersely written volume that should be read by every student embarking on scientific research and also by the layperson, whose everyday life is influenced by the work of Townes in matters ranging from compact discs, laser welding, and medicine to telephony and even dentistry!""--Science Books & Films ""It's rare that a scientist writes a book about his or her life that accurately reflects the highs and lows of scientific discovery. Such a book is 'How the Laser Happened' by Nobel Laureate Charles Townes . . . Townes did not invent the laser but, as a researcher, he certainly left his mark on twentieth century science. And the book certainly leaves the impression that Townes lived the life of a true scientist. Townes was the co-inventor of the maser (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) with James Gordon, then a post-doctoral student at Columbia University. . . . But the book is not entirely concerned with the science of maser and laser development. Townes devotes an intriguing chapter to the various battles that were fought over the patents for the maser and the laser. . . . The book is subtitled, 'Adventures of a Scientist.' Charles Townes' adventures make for a fascinating story of a true scientist.""--Laser Focus World ""In this old-fashioned short autobiography, Nobel laureate Charles H. Townes describes the high points of his career and his philosophy, but not much about his personal life outside the laboratory. . .overall the book is captivating. It is like visiting an old-fashioned, self-depreciating, slightly naïve professor who takes things literally, loves his work, and has a corny sense of humor. . .In his plain-spoken fashion he makes the old verities vivid and refreshing: the primacy of experiment over theory, the importance of teamwork, sharing ideas, keeping an open mind, and enjoying your work.""--Infinite Energy ""This memoir by the chief pioneer of masers and lasers is inspiring in a number of ways. It is written as Townes is in his eighties and still immersed in scientific research. It is insightful about the ways of science and about society's ways with science, fully aware of pitfalls and difficulties yet wholeheartedly optimistic. It is infused with the traditional scientific ideal of disinterestedness rather surprised, over the years, to discover how many people besides myself continue to find Sinclair Lewis's novel Arrowsmith to be the best current role-model for budding scientists. Perhaps that seventy-five-year-old novel can now be replaced by Townes's memoir.""-- ournal of Scientific Exploration"

... marvellous ... demonstrates how curiosity-driven research can have unexpected and extraordinary practical ramifications ... not only about the evolution of the laser but also serves as a brief autobiography of Charles Townes ... Although brief this book is fascinating reading. If a friend or a politician should ask you, Why does one do science and what is the benefit to society? I recommend that you give him or her a copy of How the Laser Happened. ISIS

Author Information

Charles Townes is one of the leading figures in twentieth-century physics, intentor of the maser, co-inventor of the laser, and a pioneer in microwave spectroscopy for molecular and nuclear physics and in the use of radio and infrared spectroscopic techniques for astronomy. A Nobel laureate, Townes was also one of the first academic scientists to accept a full-time position advising the Executive Branch during the Cold War, and was founder of the Jasons, an influential group of scientists independently advising the government. He also served on the Board of General Motors.

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