{"id":907,"date":"2009-01-09T22:45:00","date_gmt":"2009-01-09T22:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.factstoryhub.com\/2009\/01\/microwave-ovens-early-days.html"},"modified":"2025-03-08T18:23:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T18:23:14","slug":"microwave-ovens-early-days","status":"publish","type":[],"link":"https:\/\/www.factstoryhub.com\/microwave-ovens-early-days\/","title":{"rendered":"The History & Origins Of The Microwave"},"content":{"rendered":"
From reheating leftovers to popping popcorn, microwaves have become an essential appliance in many households worldwide. But have you ever wondered about the fascinating history and origins of the microwave?\n
Today, we’ll take a journey back in time to explore the development of this revolutionary kitchen device.\n
So, grab a snack (maybe even something you can heat up in the microwave later!), and let’s dive in!\n
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In the early 1940s, a brilliant scientist named Dr. Percy Spencer was working on magnetrons, a type of vacuum tube used in radar systems during World War II.\n
While conducting experiments, he noticed something rather unexpected. The Hershey\u2019s candy bar in his pocket had started to melt! Driven by curiosity, he decided to investigate his accidental discovery further.\n Dr. Spencer soon discovered that the magnetron was emitting a new type of electromagnetic wave, which he named “microwaves.” These new waves had the ability to heat food quickly and efficiently.\n It was a groundbreaking revelation that would change the way we cook forever.\n Dr. Spencer and his team at Raytheon Corporation began designing a device that would safely harness microwaves to cook food.\n In 1947, they released the first publicly-available microwave oven, known as the “Radarange.”\n The Radarange was far from the compact and sleek appliances we see today. The enormous machine stood 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weighed a staggering 750 pounds (340 kilograms)!\n As you can imagine, it was mainly used in commercial settings like restaurants and airplanes, as it was too large and expensive for the average consumer.\n Microwave technology started to advance rapidly by the end of the 1960s, making microwave ovens smaller, cheaper, and easier to use.\n Manufacturers recognized the potential market for microwave ovens in households and began producing more consumer-friendly models.\n By the 1970s, microwaves started appearing in kitchens across the US and quickly gained popularity.\n People were thrilled with the convenience of heating up leftovers or cooking a meal in a fraction of the time it usually took.\nThe first microwave oven.\n
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Microwaves go mainstream.\n
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