For the first time, scientists were able to show they can bend lightning from a storm with a laser. The project, 20 years in the making, required a super powerful laser to be shot into the sky. A powerful laser was able to deflect a lightning bolt almost 200 feet before it hit a lightning rod, greatly improving the rod's function. The Laser Lightning Rod is seen in place on top of a Swiss mountain. AdvertisementAdvertisementEventually, the scientists were able to record a natural lightning bolt that, for the first time, followed the laser beam before hitting the tower.

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Persons: —, Aurélien Houard, Appliquée, they'd, Houard, Jean, Pierre Wolf, Benjamin Franklin, we've, Wolf, Houart Organizations: Service, EPFL, University of Geneva, Polytechnique, Street, Nat, CNN, Street Journal, Photonics Locations: Swiss, EPFL, Switzerland, France, Germany, Säntis