In 1970, two significant technical achievements led to the development of practical fiber optical communications: the demonstration of low-loss fibers (16db/ km) and the first CW room-temperature semiconductor lasers. Fiber sensors measured high voltages and currents for controlling electrical grids. This technology's journey spans nearly two centuries, marked by groundbreaking innovations and relentless research. Dates, of course, are often approximate, as putting a firm date on the introduction of a new technology is often impossible! the most important. Fiber optics really entered the spotlight in 1960. He showed that if you shine light into one end of a glass fiber, it'll come out the other side, still intact. It's a simple idea, but it set the.