Interview with Professor Charles H. Townes by Joanna Rose, science writer, 7 December 2001.

Professor Townes discusses the development of masers, how success grew out of failure (1:38), and the moment of the discovery (3:20). He explains why from time to time he changes his field (9:22) - Townes is now doing astronomy - and also talks about his interest in languages and music (13:24), and how religion and science can converge (14:09).