The laser race -- Microwaves are the first step -- Leaping a few orders of magnitude : the optical maser -- The outsider's invention : the laser -- Bell Labs takes the early lead -- Stimulating the emission of money -- A spreading interest in the laser idea -- A pause to compare notes -- A dark horse joins the race -- "Everybody knew it was going to happen within months" -Bell Labs feels safely in the lead -- A crash program at "Pipsqueak Inc." -- The siren call of the laser -- The critical question of efficiency -- An idea simpler in theory than in practice -- Triumph in the palace of science -- An unexpected struggle for acceptance -- "We were astounded" -a stunned reaction -- Runners-up cross the finish line.
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