---
title: "A History of the Laser: 1960 - 2019"
description: The laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is nearly 60 years old! From Max Planck’s discovery that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation to Einstein’s proposal for how a laser could work, the history of this ubiquitous tool is a riveting story.
---

[Fluid Systems Engineering & Management Blog | Swagelok NorCal ](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog)

# [A History of the Laser: 1960 - 2019](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog/a-history-of-the-laser-1960-2019)

 Written by [Jeff Hopkins](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog/author/jeff-hopkins) | 2/4/20 4:45 PM

### A trip through the light fantastic

The laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is nearly 60 years old! From Max Planck’s discovery that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation to Einstein’s proposal for how a laser could work, the history of this ubiquitous tool is a riveting story.

[Read the full article on Photonics Media →](https://www.photonics.com/Articles/A_History_of_the_Laser_1960_-_2019/a42279)

[View full post](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog/a-history-of-the-laser-1960-2019)

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