Fred P. Burns was one of the original group of senior scientists at Theodore H. Maiman's firm Korad. Burns left Korad to found Apollo in the late 1960s. Burns, after briefly relating his prior work history, tells how he was recruited by Maiman. He discusses Union Carbide's financing of Korad; Korad's venture into semiconductor lasers; why patents were not a deterrent in the early days; developing the laser for market; Korad's government contracts; the availability of venture capital for laser firms; Maiman's management style; and why Maiman left Korad. Burns also discusses founding Apollo; its size and markets; licensing under various patents; foreign markets; why Apollo (and Korad) eschewed the medical market. Also prominently mentioned is: City College of the City University of New York.