Where you in 1978? Have a good laugh at Laserman532! Where were you?

I was applications engineer at Spectra-Physics at 22 years old. Thats me on the left. (Afros were big back then). I had been working with lasers since 1975 and had a degree in lasers and electo optics at this point. I was honored to be working on scientific laser systems (pico second & ring dye) that would not become public for another 5 years. I played with laser light shows in my spare time. I still love the light.

This was my first laser light show projector 3/4" 2'x3' plywood box with a solid 1" allum. plate for mechanics. (all hand made & drilled) Zoom in and note the aperature flaps with warning labels! This thing weighed a TON!
Two 50 mw air cooled argon lasers, 3-10 mw hene lasers, two full color three motor effects, ledex rotary solenoids to switch beam positions and to 4 different "bumpy glass" effects wheels mounted on clock motors. All manual control with switches and knobs.

There were galvos, but I couldnt afford them, no digital cameras, no diode lasers, (not even red pointers) limited internet & PC's were very expensive if you could get one. A AO modulator was just being developed.

DAMN I FEEL OLD...Thank you for letting me share! I think what you guys are doing now is absolutely amazing.

That's pretty cool. That's the kind of shows I remember seeing at the state fair in NC when I was a kid.

Man that wooden box is awesome - Andycon & laser lips take heart :)
As for the hair - well I cant talk :)

Rob

PS in 78 I was 12

I'll let Laser Ben come in here to tell everyone how old he was in 78... then I wont feel as bad :)

I wasn't even born! I'm only 16 now!

I think thats the point Max was trying to make.

BTW Pat I love the images

Rob

Haha yeah... I wasn't born either...

I wasn't even swimming...

And I completely agree with Rob, those pictures are awesome!

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Originally Posted by stanwax

Man that wooden box is awesome - Andycon & laser lips take heart :)
As for the hair - well I cant talk :)

Rob

PS in 78 I was 12

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cheeky sod im going metal you know ;)

I had to chuckle because i read a thread somewhere here in pl where someone was talking about motors with off axis mirrors mounted to them. Thats what prompted me to dig up these pictures. Even after 30 years that random generated spirograph patterns are still popular...something very...analog and time less about it. My actual first projector that I built in 1975 i have no pictures of are a 5mw hene hitting a mirror mounted to a speaker coil...everyone starts there even after 35 years.:cool:

You say that now... wait until Galvos come in happy meals... :D

Hmm.. where was I in 1978? I was being born:))

Hey Pat -

WOW - great pix man!! Love the woodgrain!! :) (just surprised your 'control box' wasn't 'avocado green'!) :D

Here's me 'n the Fam' in '78, (I'm the 'shrimp' on the left) ;) in the foothills of Ventura, CA, doing my best 'Randolph Mantooth' (Emergency!) impersonation! :D - Also, my 'Lab' / supernerd-bedroom - too bad my Mom hadn't taken shots of the other wall, complete with (of course) 'Star Wars' poster and 'Vans' "10 x 30" skateboard ...(almost bigger than me! :cool:
(sorry - no cool laser pix like you had! :rolleyes:

Pat, if I had known you back then, and SEEN this thing, I would have immediately volunteered to be your personal SLAVE / little-brother - I would have worshiped you as a GOD! :D

Great pix, Cap'n! ;)

- J

where's your computer...? oh.... right....
Honestly I was thinking, for a bedroom it seems to be missing something, and before I thought "Bed," "Computer" is what came to my head.

I'll have to take some pictures - after I clean up - of my work area.

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Originally Posted by mliptack

I'll have to take some pictures - after I clean up - of my work area.

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hey Max - LOL... you KNOW this was my 'lab' / bedroom from 1978, riiight??? :D In 1978, if I had had a computer, it would have BEEN the bedroom!! :D so, to be fair, you can only post a pic of your 'shop' from '78... ;)

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Originally Posted by dsli_jon

Hey Pat -

WOW - great pix man!! Love the woodgrain!! :) (just surprised your 'control box' wasn't 'avocado green'!) :D

Here's me 'n the Fam' in '78, (I'm the 'shrimp' on the left) ;) in the foothills of Ventura, CA, doing my best 'Randolph Mantooth' (Emergency!) impersonation! :D - Also, my 'Lab' / supernerd-bedroom - too bad my Mom hadn't taken shots of the other wall, complete with (of course) 'Star Wars' poster and 'Vans' "10 x 30" skateboard ...(almost bigger than me! :cool:
(sorry - no cool laser pix like you had! :rolleyes:

Pat, if I had known you back then, and SEEN this thing, I would have immediately volunteered to be your personal SLAVE / little-brother - I would have worshiped you as a GOD! :D

Great pix, Cap'n! ;)

- J

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LOL FUNNY- Dude those were some crazy cord bells ya had on and you were sportin the guns as well! COOL I also found the pics of my garage back then it was full of JUNK...LASER JUNK oh yeah! Laser God, no...but very popular at parties!

I Never saw the 66 issue of National Geographic but if you ever come across the March 1984 issue with the eagle hologram on the front cover...I'm the guy on page 232 or 242 i forget!!!! 171 argon doing 20 watts and a 171 white light krypton doing about 12 watts hitting a grating in front of me. :cool: i love that i can say..."I used to be somebody"

Blows me away that laser ben is only 16, some of my underwear is that old:D (just kidding there ben, i wish I knew what you know at 16 I would have ruled the FRIGGIN WORLD!!!!! MUAHAAAAAAAAAAA)

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Originally Posted by Laserman532

I Never saw the 66 issue of National Geographic but if you ever come across the March 1984 issue with the eagle hologram on the front cover...I'm the guy on page 232 or 242 i forget!!!! 171 argon doing 20 watts and a 171 white light krypton doing about 12 watts hitting a grating in front of me. :cool: i love that i can say..."I used to be somebody"

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WOAH... that is one of the first magazines that really enticed my appetite for lasers! I can remember staring at the holographic eagle forever and "reading the articles" hahaha!!!

Well I said I should post some pictures of my 'laser room' well here is part of it :)

Cheers! (No pun intended)

Damn, I feel young again:) In '78 I just got out of the airforce and was pursuing my career as a rock musician..well .. that dint work out too well.. ahhh, well.. got my 1st hene in '89.. late bloomer I guesss...
Still, Rock is #1 and lasers are #2 // oops wify is #1 ...:) .. blasphemy,,, ohh.. :rolleyes:

Hey Pat,

You're on page 334 of the March '84 issue...I swear this is the same photo used in a "Science Careers" poster still up in the cafeteria (to the best of my knowledge) at the elementary school that both of my kids attended - probably one of hundreds scattered across schools in the U.S.!

Must have been fun...

Greg

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Originally Posted by Laserman532

LOL FUNNY- Dude those were some crazy cord bells ya had on and you were sportin the guns as well! COOL I also found the pics of my garage back then it was full of JUNK...LASER JUNK oh yeah! Laser God, no...but very popular at parties!

I Never saw the 66 issue of National Geographic but if you ever come across the March 1984 issue with the eagle hologram on the front cover...I'm the guy on page 232 or 242 i forget!!!! 171 argon doing 20 watts and a 171 white light krypton doing about 12 watts hitting a grating in front of me. :cool: i love that i can say..."I used to be somebody"

Blows me away that laser ben is only 16, some of my underwear is that old:D (just kidding there ben, i wish I knew what you know at 16 I would have ruled the FRIGGIN WORLD!!!!! MUAHAAAAAAAAAAA)

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Originally Posted by Displaser

Hey Pat,

You're on page 334 of the March '84 issue...I swear this is the same photo used in a "Science Careers" poster still up in the cafeteria (to the best of my knowledge) at the elementary school that both of my kids attended - probably one of hundreds scattered across schools in the U.S.!

Must have been fun...

Greg

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I forget which page it was, i have a framed copy from chuck o'rear the photographer. For signing the release I got a ONE TIME reprint option. I have seen the photograph around the world even at the worlds fair (I didnt see it personally someone mailed me a photo of it) they had blown it up to about 20 feet high. It is probably the most reprinted "laser photo" ever. They still use it I know.

I was the Unknown tech. Nat. Geo refused to print my name (my mom knows its me and thats all that matters) because they would have had to give me royalties each time they used it FOR LIFE! So the deal was, they get the photo, I get one time printing rights (i used for a brochure for my company in 1986) and I get the pleasure of saying "it's me". That photo would have been in the trash if I would have held out for cash or name...:(

The photo was taken at SP in my lab. Hint-The beams came out so good by taking a cans of compressed air and turning it upside down. Upside down air dissipates quickly so it didnt fog the image of me. My only claim to fame.

Pat - you mean THIS one???!!!!

DUDE, CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH???????!!!!!!!

I mean, I only have 2 of these issues, so if I could juuust get you to sign here, pleeeeze! :D:D (can't see me but I am bowing down in front of my screen right now...) :D

- J

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Originally Posted by Laserman532

I forget which page it was, i have a framed copy from chuck o'rear the photographer. For signing the release I got a ONE TIME reprint option. I have seen the photograph around the world even at the worlds fair (I didnt see it personally someone mailed me a photo of it) they had blown it up to about 20 feet high. It is probably the most reprinted "laser photo" ever. They still use it I know.

I was the Unknown tech. Nat. Geo refused to print my name (my mom knows its me and thats all that matters) because they would have had to give me royalties each time they used it FOR LIFE! So the deal was, they get the photo, I get one time printing rights (i used for a brochure for my company in 1986) and I get the pleasure of saying "it's me". That photo would have been in the trash if I would have held out for cash or name...:(

The photo was taken at SP in my lab. Hint-The beams came out so good by taking a cans of compressed air and turning it upside down. Upside down air dissipates quickly so it didnt fog the image of me. My only claim to fame.

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For those who dont know what we are talking about here it is.

http://www.wineviews.com/portfolio/p...1007-full.html

I honestly did not realize that he is a WORLD RECOGNIZED photographer.
Please keep in mind i met him 22 years ago. He photographed the photo "blis" which is on every copy of Windows xp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_%28image%29

Holy shit, i never knew i was so close to greatness. I am truly honored and humbled.:)

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Originally Posted by dsli_jon

Pat - you mean THIS one???!!!!

DUDE, CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH???????!!!!!!!

I mean, I only have 2 of these issues, so if I could juuust get you to sign here, pleeeeze! :D:D (can't see me but I am bowing down in front of my screen right now...) :D

- J

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Thanks jon, you are so funny. And yes you can have my autograph as long as it is an endorsement on the back of a BIG FAT CHECK!!! Bless you my son.:)

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Originally Posted by Laserman532

Thanks jon, you are so funny. And yes you can have my autograph as long as it is an endorsement on the back of a BIG FAT CHECK!!! Bless you my son.:)

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...So does this mean that if I buy the 'Cobra', that...
..TOGETHER, WE CAN RULE THE GALAXY AS FATHER AND SON... ??? :D:D

- J

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Originally Posted by dsli_jon

...So does this mean that if I buy the 'Cobra', that...
..TOGETHER, WE CAN RULE THE GALAXY AS FATHER AND SON... ??? :D:D

- J

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Sure...that would be fun. ;) I think I have at least ONE more galaxy left in me. From what i have read on this forum since I've joined, there is a WEALTH of greatness in people here. I would love to start a think tank with folks here...untapped raw talent. :)

Wow, 1978, 1975, 1970, long long ago.
I don't know China had laser or not, but I know at that time China hadn't company to do lasers. but now,we had many laser company.
yes, I had found China first laser, ruby lasers, which is born in 1961, just like a monster.:).
Best regards!
Bridge

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Originally Posted by Laserman532

if you ever come across the March 1984 issue with the eagle hologram on the front cover...I'm the guy on page 232 or 242 i forget!!!! 171 argon doing 20 watts and a 171 white light krypton doing about 12 watts hitting a grating in front of me.

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:eek::eek: OMFG!!!:eek::eek:

I remember that issue, and the picture in question! I was a senior in High School at the time, and when that issue came out I snatched it away from the coffee table and kept it. Saddly, a few months later I joined the Navy and my Dad threw out all the old magazines in my room, including that one. :(

Still, it was one hell of a cool picture! (Still is, really.)

Adam

That is an awesome pic Pat and a well cool claim to fame. Im glad to see that by that time, the perm had given way somewhat - though the silhouette shape of your head reminds me of Mike Nesmith....hmmm
Unfortunately I was not aware of Nat Geo at that time and unaware of whether or not WH Smiths stocked it - but would have had it if id had a sniff of it. Best I got was reading about lasers and holography in the very first issues of Hobby Electronics from early 78 - still have them to this day but no hologram on the cover :(

Rob

That's too much- I ogled that hologram issue too!
I was on my way to my first KISS concert in '78 at a whoppin 8 years old.
Dirt bikes, taking things apart, fighting my older brother, etc...
Here is what else I was reading in that time frame...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/3...06b7a0.jpg?v=0
http://bp2.blogger.com/_GVUpFsG-_aA/...0/s400/mad.jpg
How about an ANALOG forum???
Cool stuff man!
-Mike

I have a 'mint' copy of that issue of NG. The whole article is (or was) absolutely awsome. I was going to scan the picture for everyone's benefit but have already been beaten to it.

How cool is it that one of my favourite photographs of lasers is someone on this group !!!!

Cheers, you've made my day :D :D :D

Jem

Wow Pat, I know I knew you from somewhere., absolutely way to go man.

Yep., I had that issue as well. I used to keep everything related to lasers from very early on in my childhood. I do remember your picture well. It was the one all my friends used to druel on. we swore we were going to build something close at least something that would dazzle or friends.

I wasnt doing anything with lasers in '78 , the year before I was just a bum, getting dirty and building big-blocks and sliding them into small cars. I had let everything else go to the side too ( I was learning what girls were good for and other things not really meant for public ears).
In 1970 while in Jr High school I took a HeNe tube expensive then cost me a two summers worth of odd jobs and built my own supply for it..used it to make holograms for a science fair project in which I won second place in state. I was beat by a student who built a portable Mass-Spectrometer for determining types of stars. Anyhow, That helped me get into college for Physics and Electronics. later all I did with it was bounce it off mirrors in front of speakers using oscillators. nothing much became of it tho just sat in front of it with my friends at party time. I almost built the DIY ruby laser, I still have the DIY article for a ruby laser here somewhere., but my interests wandered...ah anyway.
Too bad all my mags got tossed too... a real shame. it was a long time ago.

Way to go Mang

I just posted the pics because three motor effect has been around forever (steve jander showed it to me in 1976 using a tunable dye laser pumping it. I saw GOLD light) It is an oldie but a goodie and anyone can build it even if you only have a pointer.

Jon- You are hopelessly obsessed...just like me.:rolleyes:
Stev-o- It is rare to meet someone older than me :D
Greg- I was born and raised in Houston- graduated Spring Branch HS in 1975.

I need to correct, I met Chuck O'rear 25 years ago- he is amazing!:confused:

Bridge- In 10 years all lasers will be "manufactured" in china, not sure how I feel about that since the laser was invented here (in the US) We are at the mercy of the youth in America to be OBSESSIVE over technology and I dont see that happening anymore. :mad::confused::eek:

Adam-Keep the light burning dude :)

Rob- MIKE NESMITH!!!! You got it. I LOVED THE MONKEES!:o Dude it was the 80's and SP was real relaxed (keg parties almost every friday):D

Mike- Did you have your face painted? I think Gene Simmons is a master of marketing for keeping all of those tapes and recently releasing them. GENIUS. :cool:

Jem- Thanks Guy:D

Marconi- WOW you had a laser in 1970 I think you win (so far:D) I got more wobble out of my speaker effect by gluing a ball point pen spring to the middle of the speaker coil. ;)

It is tough to make a lot of money in lasers, but you have to do it for the love of the light. Funny thing...i've made a million and I have lost a million...but whatever...you cant take it with you!

Work with lasers long enough and you will become a BIRD BRAIN!

Hmmm very interesting :)

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I just posted the pics because three motor effect has been around forever (steve jander showed it to me in 1976 using a tunable dye laser pumping it. I saw GOLD light) It is an oldie but a goodie and anyone can build it even if you only have a pointer.

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Hmmm that is something that is of interest to me... care to elaborate?

Also Chuck, the homemade ruby laser you mention, that is something that is also interesting to me. Since I just purchased a Ruby rod not too long ago. I still have to get my SSY-1 up and running. The PFN from MI is what is stopping me currently.

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Originally Posted by mliptack

Hmmm very interesting :)



Hmmm that is something that is of interest to me... care to elaborate?

Also Chuck, the homemade ruby laser you mention, that is something that is also interesting to me. Since I just purchased a Ruby rod not too long ago. I still have to get my SSY-1 up and running. The PFN from MI is what is stopping me currently.

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Gold light-we had a 5 watt argon laser pumping a SP 375 R6G dye laser with a single plate birefrengent filter that could be rotated with motor the dye laser output went in to a 3 motor effect and through the magic of random beat frequencies i saw sections of gold light...thats all, probably just a random chance of yellow and red mixing somehow it certainly wasnt planed or even reproduce able.

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Originally Posted by Buffo

:eek::eek: OMFG!!!:eek::eek:
I remember that issue, and the picture in question!...Saddly...my Dad threw out all the old magazines in my room, including that one. :(

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Hey Adam -

I've got 2 - http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...1&d=1199508062
- wanna trade somethin'?? :D - what??...oh, I dunno...like mayybee ONE OF THOSE COOL LINE GRATINGS YA'GOT FROM MI???? :D

BTW - 'trading' was ALSO very '1978', wasn't it?? :D

...I only wish I still HAD any the cool stuff I got in 'trade-deals' as a kid- ie: a little brass 'bomblet' (in-ordinate, of course!) from a real 'cluster bomb'; a REAL gold-plated-brass FD-dept BADGE, from LAFD!! - it was HEAVY!!!; a supercool "Daisy" 'German Luger' BB-gun (looked EXACTLY like the gun in the '007' logo!); etc... *sigh* anybody got a time-machine hacked-together yet?? :rolleyes: peace....

- J

It's tempting, but I've only got 1 left... (sorry)

Adam

In '78 I was found at the local flying field, 8A7- Twin Lakes, washing and cleaning aircraft to help pay for flying lessons and any airtime I could get. Other than the "chase of the ladies" and school ....that was it. And that was enough for me at the time !

Ok I was trying to find a school photo circa 78 but the best I have at the mo is this equally cringe worthy one from about 1990 - its me (on the left for those who dont know) with my good friend Wacko (aka wakey, wakit, wooko, paul, shakey etc etc). We look like a very happy gay couple - the only gays at the party :) and both as straight as they come - maybe I should have worded that better :(

Rob

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=001

hahahahahahahaha! Nice Laserman!!!!

I have to go talk to my mother and see if she still has that issue in her archives of NG... She's an artist so she collects them for referencing... maybe she'll draw an artists rendition of you... hahaa

In 1978 I was just leaving school and starting my apprenticeship as an Electronic Engineer with British Nuclear Fuels at Risley in Warrington.
The nearest thing to a PC that I worked with then was a Commodore PET with an HEX keypad and a few & segment LED displays.
I didn't have a laser for the disco at that time but I was MEGA HIGH TECH, I had a Philips video projector seen in this pic from 1980.
I am the one behind the decks.
http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?i...sco1980ev2.jpg

Jim

1978..... the year when a french rock band was hitting Europe with an amazing show based on piros and lasers. This is an appereance on Italian TV show "Discoring" dated april 1979, I was 14 and I was glued to the screen.
The moment where my laser addiction began. :D

Audience scanning precautions.... Is there any.....?
At one point the artist even try to fry the audience with sparks :D:D:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOeN5...eature=related

that is crazy and awesome!
I can see why you were captured by the laser but the firework stunt is incredible - the audience dont seem that bothered!

Their attaire reminds me a little of crazy Klaus Nomi

amazing

Rob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ci_...eature=related

and today thay may have lost the fireworks but still fire the laser at the crowd - looks worse now than it did in 78!

(looks like they have zoofscope on thier screen at the rear of teh stage)

Rob

On Youtube there is also a video of the same band dated pecisely 1978, but the laser is almost invisible, due to the :o smart idea to chroma key them on blue green background. :(

The result is a strange flashing cuts across the pictures and no effects at all :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfLts...eature=related

Crazy - i see what you mean - nice idea from the production team - NOT

Rob

Rob ....

They certainly have not done away with burning the audience

check this one out from last year

the fun starts at 4:05 mins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjJAb...eature=related

all the best .... Karl

I'd say that may sting a little bit..

I wasn't born in 78... I wasn't even born until 7 years later..

I dont know when and where this was but a guy i know was there saw the picture and freaked out...Damn I wish I got royalities!

HAHAHAHA, that's soooo cool :D



OT few days ago I was checking my paypal account and I discovered that I bought from you some dichros, on ebay in Jul 2006. I didn't imagine that I was dealing with such a Laser hero... I feel so honored.... :D;)
/OT