Lasers
have been in use in the construction industry for many decades. The
first rotating laser—developed in Dayton, Ohio in the mid-1960s—was used in agricultural applications to install corrugated plastic drainage tubing to more effectively remove water from farmland. Other applications quickly followed in the construction industry. The first use for interior applications was primarily for installing acoustic drop ceilings.
The laser itself was a relatively new invention, introduced in 1960. A fun fact, in case you did not know, is that the word laser is an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The source of the initial lasers were helium-neon tubes, often referred to as HeNe lasers.
These were relatively low-powered visible lasers in those days compared
to industrial applications, but would be considered high-powered
compared to today’s lasers. They were used in both interior and exterior
construction applications. Although wonderful devices for enhancing
productivity, the helium-neon tube lasers had some drawbacks. The
instruments were bulky and heavy, requiring wall mounts and bracketry to
provide structural support. They required high power input, requiring a
separate power-converter box plugged into a 120V outlet or a fully
charged car battery. They were manually leveled and prone to mechanical
errors. But still, the productivity enhancements of 25 to 50 percent
outweighed all the negatives. Back then, they cost in the range of
$7,500 but were still widely adopted.