Microwave ovens invented
Microwave ovens are kitchen appliances that utilize microwave radiation to heat and cook food, revolutionizing meal preparation. The concept originated during World War II when engineer Percy L. Spencer, working on radar technology at Raytheon Corporation, discovered that microwaves could melt candy. This led to the development of the first microwave oven, patented by Raytheon in 1945, known as the Radarange; however, its impractical size made it unsuitable for home use. The first household model was introduced by Tappan Corporation in 1955, but it was large and costly, limiting its success. Improvements over the years culminated in the microwave oven gaining popularity in the late 1960s and becoming commonplace by the mid-1970s. By the 1990s, advancements allowed for smaller, lighter models, leading to their widespread adoption in American homes. As of the early 21st century, over 90 percent of American households own a microwave oven, showcasing its impact on modern cooking convenience. Percy L. Spencer's contributions to this invention earned him a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1999.
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Microwave ovens invented
Household appliances that use microwave radiation to cook food
Although the first microwave oven for commercial use was introduced in 1947, it would not be until 1955 that the household version became available. These devices not only decreased the amount of time devoted to cooking but also led to a new market for food products needing only to be warmed before serving.
Like many discoveries, the microwave oven developed from research undertaken for an entirely different purpose. During World War II, engineer Percy L. Spencer was working on radar technology for theRaytheon Corporation when he noticed that the magnetron he was working on could melt candy. He then successfully used this microwave technology on other types of food, leading Raytheon to patent the microwave oven in 1945 and begin producing it for commercial use. Dubbed the Radarange, the device was too cumbersome for household use, standing over five feet tall and weighing more than 750 pounds.
In 1955, the Tappan Corporation introduced the first microwave oven for household use, but this model was large and expensive and therefore sold poorly. Raytheon continued to improve the model until it finally gained some popularity in 1967. By the mid-1970’s, microwave ovens had become as common as gas stoves, and their popularity continued through the 1980’s. When smaller and lighter versions of the microwave oven were produced during the 1990’s, they became the most popular cooking apparatuses in the United States.
Impact
In the early twenty-first century, it is estimated that more than 90 percent of American households possess a microwave oven. These devices have made cooking more convenient, particularly as many households depend on two incomes. For his role in the creation of the microwave oven, Spencer was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1999.
Bibliography
Carlisle, Rodney. Inventions and Discoveries. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
Decareau, Robert, and Bernard Schweigert, eds. Microwaves in the Food Processing Industry. New York: Academic Press, 1985.