© 2024 South Carolina Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Remembering the Father of the Laser

Tut Underwood
SCETV

  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. 

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.