Most people think of laser light shows or Star Wars when asked about what lasers are used for or where they've seen lasers. It's not uncommon for most people to think the most extravagant thing possible. Lasers are sexy and cool. People only want to see lasers that way. They don't want their lasers to be boring. The fact of the matter is that lasers, like farm fencing, can be boring. Boring doesn't have to be a bad word, though. While they might be boring, they are also practical. Practical is good.
There are plenty of everyday aspects of our lives where we might be using lasers, unbeknownst to us. We're pretty much surrounded by lasers all the time and we don't even know it. For instance, spirit levels used to be all the rage with carpenters back in the day. Now, laser levels have taken over the market. They're more reliable and accurate than spirit levels and are very quick to make readings. Chances are if you were to go into your garage or your work shop area to get your level to help you with your valve repair work, it's probably a laser one. You might not have thought much about it when you bought the level because it's just a level. However, it is a level with a laser.
An even more common household item that you use that more than likely has a laser in it is your computer mouse. Computers have become relatively inexpensive recently. Most homes or businesses have their own personal computer. Whether you work at an Alberta botox clinic or printing shop, you probably spend most of your time on a computer. Which means you're using a mouse most of the time. Mice used to be equipped with tracking balls that helped move the mouse around. Nowadays, those tracking balls have been replaced with lasers. Laser mice are much easier to move around, have better tracking abilities and aren't prone to damage like a mouse with tracking a ball is.
These are just a couple of examples that show how common lasers are in our everyday lives. Printers, barcode readers, and DVD players are other items that you see or come in contact with on a regular basis that use lasers. Lasers are much more prevalent in today's society than they used to be. Dentists, doctors and mechanics are just a few professions who have come to rely on devices with lasers to help them with their everyday jobs. Whether it's to perform a "no-touch" tumor removal or to repair check valves.
The next time you go out shopping for groceries or bring your car in for repair to your local auto dealer supply shop, look around you to see how many instances of laser uses you can spot. You'll probably be surprised at how many you count by the time you leave. |