Lasers

Argon Gas Laser System
The argon laser was invented in 1964 by William Bridges at Hughes Aircraft and is one of a family of ion lasers that use a noble gas as the active medium. This laser is used in many applications.
http://www.rli.com/resources/argon.asp

Don K's Laser Page
So you want a working diode laser? Gives information on laser diode pointers.
http://members.misty.com/don/laserdon.html

How Lasers Works
A tutorial from Livermore National Labs.
https://lasers.llnl.gov/education/how_lasers_work.php

Introduction to Lidar
An introduction to atmospheric lidar for high school students. Lidar can be considered like radar but using light instead of radio waves.
http://pcl.physics.uwo.ca/science/lidarintro/

The Invention of the Laser at Bell Labs, 1958 - 1998
Laser history, written by the lab where it happened.
http://www.bell-labs.com/history/laser/

The Laser Adventure
[Windows-based computer preferred for best viewing experience.] In English and Hebrew. A course on "Lasers and their Applications" developed by Rami Arieli for grades 11-12 and college level.
http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/lasers/

Lasers
FAQ-like text covering the safe operation and creation of homemade lasers.
http://www.iks-jena.de/mitarb/lutz/verein/funknetz/1/lasersam.html

Sam's Laser FAQ
Describes types of lasers (including laser pointers), their operation and safe use.
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm

Schawlow and Townes Invent the Laser
Bell labs tells the history of the invention and evolution of the LASER at Bell Labs: 1958 - 1998.
http://www.bell-labs.com/about/history/laser/