Almost every kitchen across America has one, in some shape or form. And much like electricity itself, almost every person believes they couldn't live without one. We're not talking about the coffeemaker, though there is some truth to our increasing need for that little wonder. No, what we're actually referring to is one of the most revolutionary inventions of the modern age: the microwave oven. They've become so commonplace that you probably don't even notice that they're there. Yet, when you do, don't you kind of wonder who's responsible for its creation?
Identification
The microwave oven's discovery pretty much comes down to one man, Percy Spencer. Spencer was an American engineer and inventor from Howland, Maine who was working at the Raytheon Company on magnetrons to produce a more efficient microwave radio signal. As it seems with most discoveries, the breakthrough really came about quite by accident.
Significance
As Spencer was working on one of the operational magnetrons, he noticed that the chocolate bar he was saving in his pocket had suddenly melted while in its vicinity. He put two and two together and connected the melting of the bar to the machine. So, he decided to test his theory out by placing some popcorn in front of the device. When he turned it on, the popcorn popped. From there, he constructed a metal box that would trap the microwave power to which was fed into it. Any food placed inside would rise in temperature, but not like a regular oven, quite a bit faster.
Time Frame
Soon after its discovery in 1945, the Raytheon Company filed for a patent on the process of microwaving and, before long, a "microwave" oven was equipped in a local restaurant for testing. Back in 1947, the oven was close to 6 feet tall and weighed over 700 lbs. Just imagine how much room it would take in your kitchen if they'd never have improved on its construction. Wouldn't be much of a necessity, now would it? In 1955, the first home model, a wall unit for around $1300, was introduced, but would take another twelve years for a slightly more affordable and convenient version to hit the marketplace, though it still cost close to $500.
Effects
It may come as a surprise to know that the first microwave ovens were not met with a great deal of favor, and wouldn't be until improvements were made on the 1947 version that commercial sales would rise. With this far more light and convenient model, restaurants began to realize what these ovens could mean for their overhead. Foods could actually be kept refrigerated until they were ordered and could be heated on almost the fly.
Expert Insight
Percy Spencer stayed on in the role of a consultant with the Raytheon Company until his death on September 8, 1970. At the time, he actually held a total of 150 patents, and is still considered one of the foremost experts on microwave energy. It's quite a feat for a man who never finished grammar school.
Tags: microwave oven, Raytheon Company, Percy Spencer, would rise, would take