Vijay. K, Radiant Shema school. The document discusses the history and applications of lasers. Albert Einstein established the theoretical foundations for lasers in 1917. Theodore Maiman made the first laser operate in 1960. Lasers were initially called masers but are now known as lasers. Lasers have applications as weapons, for guidance, targeting, and medicine such as cosmetic surgery and eye surgery. There are three main types of lasers.