1955 : The first domestic microwave oven is introduced. Walk into almost any American kitchen today and there's one appliance that is likely to be sitting on the counter somewhere — a microwave oven. The microwave oven didn't come from humble beginnings.
What country made the first microwave?
In 1945, the heating effect of a high-power microwave beam was accidentally discovered by Percy Spencer, an American self-taught engineer from Howland, Maine. Employed by Raytheon at the time, he noticed that microwaves from an active radar set he was working on started to melt a chocolate bar he had in his pocket.
Where was the first microwave invented?
The first commercial microwave oven was tested in a Boston restaurant in 1947. Later that year, Raytheon introduced the Radarange 1161. It stood 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) tall, weighed 750 lbs. (340 kilograms) and cost $5,000, according to Gallawa.
Who invented the first microwave oven?
As a matter of fact, his name was Percy Spencer and his invention was an accident! Spencer worked for a company named Raytheon, developing microwave radar transmitters during World War II. One day in 1945, he noticed that a candy bar he had in his pocket was starting to melt.
Do microwaves have radiation?
Microwaves are a form of “electromagnetic” radiation ; that is, they are waves of electrical and magnetic energy moving together through space. ... Visible light, microwaves, and radio frequency (RF) radiation are forms of non-ionizing radiation.
When did microwaves become popular in the US?
The microwave goes mainstream
In 1967 , after nearly 20 years of selling the devices to commercial establishments rather than households, Raytheon finally developed something much closer to the countertop model found in kitchens across America today. The first household microwaves were heavily marketed to women.
Which brand microwave oven is best?
- IFB 25l Convection Microwave Oven (25SC4) This is a convection microwave that is sure to blow your socks off. ...
- Samsung 28l Convection Microwave Oven. ...
- IFB 23BC4 23l Convection Microwave Oven. ...
- Whirlpool 30l Convection Microwave Oven. ...
- Godrej 23l Convection Microwave Oven.
Why is it called microwave?
The name Microwave is derived from the energy used to cook the food, microwaves , which pass through the cells and molecules of the food, the frequency of the waves causes the water molecules to vibrate, this movement generates heat. These microwaves are produced by a device called a magnetron within the microwave oven.
How was the microwave invented by mistake?
How the microwave was invented by a radar engineer who accidentally cooked a candy bar in his pocket . ... One day while working near the magnetrons that produced microwaves, Spencer noticed a peanut butter candy bar in his pocket had begun to melt — shortly after, the microwave oven was born.
Why do some foods explode in the microwave?
Although heat is able to escape from the outside of the microwaved food, it usually gets trapped internally, cooking the food faster on the inside. ... Without a way for the steam to escape, the internal pressure rapidly builds until the food explodes.
Is standing in front of a microwave bad?
Yes, you can stand a safe distance in front of the microwave . Microwave ovens are designed to keep in radiation. ... However, while there should be almost no radiation escaping from the chamber, it's best not to press your nose up against the door the entire time your food is heating up.
Why you shouldn't use a microwave?
Microwaves make your food radioactive and release harmful radiation , which raises your risk of cancer. Microwaves destroy the nutrients in your food, increasing your risk of nutrient deficiencies. Microwaves cause plastic containers to release harmful chemicals into your food.
Is it bad to stand in front of a microwave when pregnant?
The waves of a microwave oven can travel up to 12 cm, so it is harmful for a pregnant woman to stand near a microwave oven, especially if it is old and damaged, she says.
Who did Percy Spencer live with when he was a child?
Spencer was born in Howland, Maine. When his parents died, the boy was sent to live with an aunt who made her living as an itinerant weaver. The two traveled about New England, existing on what she earned from weaving and what he made doing any odd jobs he could find.
