History's Best Selling Tech of 1960

Step back in time to explore the definitive collection of iconic tech releases from 1960. Discover the standout creations that defined pop culture, captured consumer imagination, and shaped history during this unforgettable era.

1. Laser

   Released in 1960 by Theodore Maiman, Hughes Research Laboratories

   On May 16, 1960, the world of science was forever altered in a quiet laboratory in Malibu, California. On this day, physicist Theodore Maiman, working at Hughes Research Laboratories, successfully operated the very first laser. While the theoretical principles of 'light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation' had been laid out by scientists like Einstein, Townes, and Schawlow, Maiman was the first to transform theory into a tangible reality. In a historical context marked by a technological race fueled by Cold War ambitions, Maiman's achievement was a pivotal moment. He didn't just invent a device; he unlocked a fundamentally new way to control and harness light, marking May 16th as the dawn of the laser age.