Deputy Directorate for Research: 1962-1963

[Keyvan Shahrdar]

Does anyone have any information on the Office of Research and Development that was started by Allen Dulles of the CIA in 1962?

I am wanting to know if they had any type of laser pointers back then.

[Steve Thomas]

2 hours ago, Keyvan Shahrdar said:

Does anyone have any information on the Office of Research and Development that was started by Allen Dulles of the CIA in 1962?

I am wanting to know if they had any type of laser pointers back then.

Kevyan,

According to this website:

https://www.ethos3.com/2014/05/the-history-of-the-laser-pointer/

"From the Desk of Einstein

The actual inventor of the laser is debatable, but all can agree the concept originally came from Albert Einstein, who was interested in light waves but didn’t go as far as to invent it. In 1958 at Bell Labs, the first theory to produce lasers was created. A race began to invent it, with several contenders battling for the laser throne. Who won? No one knows. Honestly. In 1960, Theodore Maiman at Hughes Aircraft used a ruby as a lasing medium to create “the first laser.” However, Gordon Gould (first person to even use the word laser), patented “the first laser” in 1977."

 

Judging from that, it's conceivable that Dulles could have been using one in 1962.

 

Steve Thomas