Entry No. 9 — the Phoenix file — filed under: lasers
Vintage Lasers and Holograms
A strip-mall storefront hides the world's oldest continuously operating holography gallery: 180-plus lasers and holograms dating to the 1970s, all collected and maintained by holographer Bob Hess, who still uses many of them to make new holograms.
The story
Behind a generic Tempe strip-mall door at 5020 South Ash Avenue sits the world’s oldest continuously operating holography gallery. You would never guess from the beige parking lot outside that suite #102 houses over 180 vintage lasers and holograms, including heavy gas lasers used in 1960s television-transmission experiments and glowing light rigs that look stripped straight from a classic sci-fi set.
The entire operation is the life's work of Bob Hess, a holographer who didn't just collect these machines—he maintained them, preserved them, and still uses them today to make new holograms. Stepping inside is less like visiting a formal museum and more like gaining entrance to an engineer's working laboratory, where light-bending technology from the 1970s and earlier remains alive and operational.
What it's like
Expect zero corporate polish and maximum technical substance. You walk straight into an unassuming commercial storefront where Bob himself guides you through the space, detailing the history of holography through his own hands-on experience. He will walk you step-by-step from early gas lasers to shimmering rainbow holograms, explaining the physics and optics behind each fixture. Admission is free, but since hours can be unpredictable, make sure to confirm current operating times before you make the trip.
The move: Book a walk-through with Bob himself — he narrates the collection like a tour of his own life's work, from early gas lasers used in 1960s TV-transmission experiments to modern rainbow holograms, and it's free.
- 📍 Tempe
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 5020 S Ash Ave #102, Tempe, AZ 85282
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Air Apparent (James Turrell Skyspace) — Pair Bob Hess’s hands-on gas laser optics with James Turrell’s open-air light installation down the road on the ASU campus.
- Casey Moore's Oyster House (W.A. Moeur House) — Debrief on 1970s hologram tech over a pint and fresh oysters on the wraparound porch of a 1910 Tempe house.
- Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting — Trade one obsessive, hyper-specific private collection for another just five miles north near Papago Park.
Good to know
Is there an admission fee?
No, visiting the gallery and taking a walkthrough with Bob Hess is free.
What kind of hardware is in the collection?
The gallery holds over 180 lasers and holograms, ranging from 1960s gas lasers used in early television transmission tests to 1970s vintage holography setups and modern rainbow holograms.
Do I need to check hours before going?
Yes, hours can vary, so you should always confirm current operating schedules before heading to the Tempe location.
Who runs the venue?
The collection was built, maintained, and is hosted by holographer Bob Hess, who still uses the equipment to produce original holograms.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · boingboing.net
last checked: 2026-07-19