π¬ The first laser shines (1960)
Where: Malibu, USA
Nearby on the globe: Santa Monica Pier β π Open the 3D globe
π On This Day: May 16
May 16, 1960: The first laser shines. On this day in 1960, Theodore Maiman switched on the world's first laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California. It was a small device made with a pink ruby crystal. Today lasers are used everywhere, from barcode scanners to surgery to concert lights.
β¨ More events on this day
- 1891 π‘ An electricity fair opened in Frankfurt, Germany, showing the first long-distance transmission of powerful three-phase electric current, the kind used in power lines today.
- 1969 π The Soviet probe Venera 5 parachuted into the thick, hot air of Venus and sent back measurements for nearly an hour as it fell.
- 1975 π§ Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to stand on the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. Mount Everest β
π§ Question of the day
Which gem was used in the first laser?
- Diamond
- Pearl
- Ruby
Show the answer
Answer: Ruby
π Landmarks that opened on May 16
Questions
What happened on May 16?
May 16, 1960: The first laser shines. It happened in Malibu, USA.
Which landmarks opened on May 16?
CCTV Headquarters (completed 2012).
In the game, the "Today on Earth" panel shows this story on its day, with a question to answer and a place to fly to.
More days in May
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser