Laser is an everyday word that actually stands for an acronym: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The popular technology was invented fifty years ago this month.

You might remember the laser taking a foothold as a powerful beam weapon in Hollywood movies. The classic 1964 movie Goldfinger placed James Bond in harm’s way. He nearly gets burned below his belt by the laser beam.

Aside from Hollywood’s take on the laser, it is used to mend rather than to tear apart body parts. Today, the laser is most commonly used for repairing torn retinas, tweaking corneas or eliminating cancerous tumors.

We mustn’t forget its reliably for reading off the messages contained in DVDs and CDs.