Press Release

Inventor Of Laser To Receive North High Diploma Thursday

Inventor Of World's First Laser To Receive North High School Diploma Thursday, November 9

A former North High School student who went on to invent the world's first laser will return to North Thursday, November 9, to receive his diploma.

Thomas Maiman, who attended North High School in the 1940s, developed, demonstrated and patented the world's first laser in 1960.

Maiman graduated from North in 1944, but never picked up his diploma. So, 56 years later, School Board President Elaine Gantz Berman will present Maiman with his diploma November 9 at a school assembly, which begins at 9:15 a.m.

During the assembly, students will give two presentations demonstrating their knowledge of Maiman's work: One on the history of the laser, and the other a demonstration of the impact the laser has had on the entertainment and research industries. Maiman will also make some comments.

Judge Sherman Finesilver, a boyhood friend of Maiman's will speak, and a proclamation from Mayor Wellington Webb will be read.

Following the assembly Maiman will visit North High science classes to talk with students about his days at North and his development of the laser.

"When he was at North, no one could have imagined what Dr. Maiman would go on to accomplish," said North Principal Joe Sandoval. "He serves as an inspiring reminder to everyone in education that we do send our students to future times and events that we can't even imagine."

Maiman, the author of numerous patents and patent applications on masers, lasers, laser displays, optical scanning and modulation, has a lengthy list of accomplishments and awards. Among them are:

• He is included in displays in the Smithsonian Institute and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
• He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Frontier Science and Technology and Who Did What (a compendium of the 5,000 people deemed most influential in shaping our world, from the earliest recorded history to the present).
• He is indexed in the encyclopedia Britannica, Americana Colliers, World Book, and the New York Times Encyclopedia Almanac.

North High School is located at 2960 N. Speer Blvd. For more information, call North Principal Joe Sandoval at 303-964-2700.