Einstein predicted the stimulated emission part in 1917, and 50 years ago on May 16, 1960, Theodore Maiman demonstrated the first working laser at Hughes Research Labs.
Maiman saw him in the lobby of the courtroom after the sentencing and watched him pacing back and forth as he pondered the small cadre of photographers waiting to capture his photo.
Originally an adaptation of an earlier device called a maser - an electronic oscillator that operated at very high radio frequencies - the laser was first demonstrated by Theodore Maiman in 1960.
One thing you can count on, if Peter does make it out, my good friend Rick Maiman will be there to snap a shot of him leaving the prison gates (THANKS FOR THE SHOT TODAY).