Who designed the first laser?

The first laser was designed by Gordon Gould, who conceptualized the idea of laser technology as early as the 1950s and made significant contributions to the development of the laser. Gould was a physicist who recognized the potential of stimulating emissions of radiation to produce coherent light. Although he faced challenges in patenting his ideas initially, his work laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the laser.

The other individuals mentioned, while influential in the fields of physics and technology, did not specifically design the first laser. Albert Einstein contributed to the theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics and explained the principle of stimulated emission, which is crucial for laser operation, but he did not create a laser device. Thomas Edison is renowned for his inventions related to electricity and the phonograph, not lasers. Nikola Tesla was a pioneering electrical engineer and inventor, known for his work on alternating current electricity and wireless communications; he too did not work on lasers. Hence, Gordon Gould is recognized as the inventor of the first working laser, solidifying his role in technological advancement related to light generation.