Honoring the Great Accomplishments of Dr. Charles H. Townes
Charles Hard Townes was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1964 “for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which has led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle.”
Dr. Townes’ foundational research in the area of quantum electronics and the laser has been responsible for everything from DVD players to LASIK eye surgery. Because of his huge impact on society, he was recognized as one of the most influential people of the last 1,000 years.
A Greenville Native and long time supporter of his beloved hometown, Townes was also awarded NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal and the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest scientific award. He is also a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Born in 1915, Charles Townes attended the Greenville public schools and then Furman University in Greenville, where he completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages. Physics had fascinated him since his first course in the subject during his sophomore year at Furman because of its “beautifully logical structure.”
Townes was vastly interested in natural history while at Furman, serving as curator of the Greenville museum. He also worked during the summers as collector for Furman’s biology camp, swam on the swim team, wrote for the college newspaper and played for the football band.
Greenville continues to honor the great accomplishments of Dr. Townes, who has inspired us to lead our community with the great passion for knowledge and advancement in the workplace and at play!