Laser Eraser

Description:

This laser eraser was made and used by physicist Art Schawlow while at Stanford University. If he made a mistake while typing, Schawlaw could simply press a button and vaporize the typewriter ink, thus removing the incorrect characters. The wavelength of the laser was optimized for the absorption characteristics of the ink. Only the ink, not the paper, went up in smoke. Though the eraser was too expensive for commercial production, Schawlow received US Patent 3,553,421 for the invention and used the eraser on his office typewriter.

The object includes a power supply (to convert alternating current of 120 volts to 900 volt direct current pulses), the laser emitter, a connecting cable and carrying case.

Date Made: 1968

Maker: Schawlow, Arthur L.

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: InventionBusiness

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity, Energy & Power, Lasers, Science & Mathematics

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: from Arthur L. Schawlow

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1985.0144.01Accession Number: 1985.0144Catalog Number: 1985.0144.01

Object Name: laser erasereraserOther Terms: eraser; Lasers and Masers

Physical Description: metal (overall material)rubber (cords material)glass (tube material)Measurements: case: 19.5 cm x 23.2 cm x 36.2 cm; 7 11/16 in x 9 1/8 in x 14 1/4 ineraser: 4.3 cm x 5.7 cm x 25.7 cm; 1 11/16 in x 2 1/4 in x 10 1/8 inpower supply: 9 cm x 16 cm x 25.3 cm; 3 9/16 in x 6 5/16 in x 9 15/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-4558-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_713785

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