Gordon Gould Quotes

A collection of quotes by Gordon Gould.

Gordon Gould was an American physicist and inventor, recognized for his pioneering work in the development of the laser. He was born on July 17, 1920, in New York City, United States. Gould studied physics at Union College and later pursued his graduate studies at Yale University, where he received his Ph.D. in physics in 1949.

In the early 1950s, while working at Columbia University, Gould conceived the idea of using light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) to generate a focused, high-energy beam of light. He coined the term "laser" and outlined the principles of its operation in a notebook in 1957. However, it wasn't until 1959 that he filed a patent application for his invention.

Gould faced a long and complex legal battle to secure patents for his laser invention, which involved significant disputes and delays. Eventually, in 1977, he was granted his first patent for the laser.

During his career, Gordon Gould made important contributions to the field of optics and laser technology, working in multiple companies and research institutions. He received various honors and awards for his work, including the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018, posthumously awarded to recognize his significant role in the invention of the laser.

Gordon Gould passed away on September 16, 2005, in New York City, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of science and technology.