This week, South Carolina Focus turns its attention to an appreciation of South Carolina native son Charles H. Townes, who passed away in January at age 99. Townes was one of the world’s foremost scientists, and is known for creating one of the great inventions of the last century, the laser, which has inspired a galaxy of applications including everything from DVD players to surgery to measuring distances with a precision previously impossible. Listeners may discover some interesting things they didn’t know about this world-renowned and Nobel Prize-winning South Carolinian.