Who invented the microwave oven?

The discovery of the microwave oven technology is a byproduct of research of radar technology was made by self taught electronics engineer, Percy Spencer. Spencer was investigating the uses of the magnetron, a unit that could generate microwaves using a flow of electrons, controlled by an external magnetic field. Magnetron were used in the aircraft tracking technology that helped the allies win World War II.

After WWII companies such as Raytheon, where he worked, Spencer began looking for alternative uses for their magnetron. Notoriously, Spencer noted the link between the magnetron and the heating of food while apparently testing the magnetron and finding that had melted a chocolate bar in his pocket. Connect, Spencer and a colleague experienced further, placing first an egg near the magnetron, then popcorn (although some say that the popcorn preceded the egg). The egg, when exposed to microwave energy to low rapidly heated and exploded over scientists. Even the popcorn cooked in a very short period of time.

Spencer later built a metal box and fed microwave energy into it from a magnetron. When food was included in the box the temperature increased rapidly, and he invented the first microwave oven. Raytheon engineers continued developing this new idea, creating a more practical and patented the idea in 1946. In 1947, named the Radarange was released the first commercially available microwave oven. The first was installed in the Radarange ship NS Savannah, and there remains to this day. The oven was a huge drive, being almost 6 feet tall and weighing in excess of 750 lbs, making it impractical for the internal market. And consumed a large amount of energy and was very expensive. In the next few years 20 smaller and more efficient were produced for the commercial market, but were unpopular and still maintained a high price.

In 1967 the Raytheon bought the Armana corporation, which manufactured air-conditioning units, most domestic refrigerators and freezers. Via Armana, Raytheon produced their first superior internal counter Radarange microwave oven at a price much more accessible. Initially there were concerns about radiation and other risks, but when users and potential customers realized the oven was not dangerous when used correctly and fears have been dissipated. News of the convenience and ease of use of microwave ovens began to spread. After a slow start, domestic microwave ovens has begun to sell at a considerable rate during the 1970s and since 1986 more than 25% of households in the United States owned a microwave oven. Microwaves began to outsell gas ovens traditional around 1975, and it is believed that over 90% of us households now contain a microwave oven.

Percy LeBaron Spencer died in September 1970 so unfortunately not seeing the full popularity of its creation. Come from a poor educational environment, Spencer was a self taught engineer and constant work for Raytheon, becoming Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors, until he died aged 76. Since then her named held over 150 patents and in 1999 was added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, recognizing his contribution to the scientific world and the impact of its work on society.

Posted in: invented,microwave