The History Of The Microwave
In 1946, Dr. Percy Spencer was quite intrigued when he was testing the magnetron, a new vacuum tube, when all of a sudden the candy bar in his pocket melted. This amazed him so much that he thought he would try another experiment with popcorn kernels. He placed the kernels in front of the magnetron and to his surprise they started popping.
It was the next day that Spencer decided to put an egg next to the magnetron. When he did so, the egg began trembling because of the pressure inside of the egg due to the rapidly rising temperature. When a colleague of Spencer's decided to get a better look at the shaking egg, the egg exploded and he was showered with its contents. This brought Spencer to the conclusion that low-density microwave energy was causing these foods to cook quickly. This is when his experimentation took him to entirely new levels.
That is when Spencer took a metal box and cut out an opening that he could feed the microwave energy through. Once the energy was in the box it was unable to escape, so this created a high-density electromagnetic field. This caused the temperature of any food put inside the box to rise quite rapidly. What this did was revolutionize the way that food is cooked and was the basis for what would become the microwave oven.
The first
However, the microwave oven did not look quite like what we use today. In fact, it weighed approximately 750 pounds and was almost 6 feet in height. This was in late 1946 when the patent was filed by the Raytheon Company. A Boston restaurant was put in charge of testing this large microwave and it was in 1947 that the commercial version of the microwave made its debut on the market, but they cost around $5,000 a piece. Why so expensive? Well, plumbing units also had to be installed because the magnetron had to be cooled by water.
Not everyone looked upon this new invention in a favorable way. It was a complicated unit, but improvements would change the view of the public toward the microwave oven. Smaller units were made and the magnetron was able to be cooled by air, so the need for the plumber was eradicated.
Eventually, microwave ovens were used for more than cooking food. Many commercial establishments were using them to dry cork, paper, and even leather. Then in 1947, the Radarange was introduced by Raytheon. The price was now between $2,000 and $3,000 and the cabinets that housed the microwave were around the size of a refrigerator. Between 1952 and 1955, the first home united, priced at $1295, was introduced by Tappan. It was in 1965 that Raytheon acquired Amana and 1967 when they introduced the first countertop models.
Progression
By 1975, the microwave had made great strides and had even exceeded gas range sales. It became the staple of any kitchen. By 1976, the microwave had more owners than the dishwasher. No longer was the microwave considered a luxury, it was considered a necessity.
Now, we see that microwaves come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and it is difficult to find someone that doesn't have a microwave oven. And as time goes on, the microwave still continues to change face. With the many different settings that ranges from power defrost to popping popcorn at the push of a single button, it is no wonder that most of our meals are cooked within the microwave. It is quick, it is easy, and it also saves a considerable amount of energy.
Related Tags: microwave, home appliances, ovens, kitchen appliances, refrigerators, range hoods, ranges
Find a great selection of home appliances. Benefit from our microwaves large capacity, advanced cooking systems and innovative features. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Lawn Mowers Electric Vs Petrol - Which Is Better?
When searching for the perfect lawn mower, many homeowners find themselves wondering which kind is b - Popular Types Of Mattresses
It is needless to describe the utility of mattresses for having a sound night's sleep; bed mattresse - Furniture Sofa Legs - Making The Old Sofa New Again
Home decorators get excited when confronted with an old sofa with a lot of potential. For those who - Finding The Right Granite For Your Home
The massive amount of options that are available can make choosing the right granite countertop for - The Truth About Black Mold Toxicity
The term "toxic mold" is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce t - Bunk Beds For Older Individuals - Are They Genuinely Worthwhile Acquiring?
Typically people think it a little random when adults get to sleep in loft beds. Nonetheless, in the - Kitchen Countertop Ideas: Ceramic And Granite
Ceramic tiles for kitchen countertops have become a must have in home buyers' kitchens.Whether you p - Why Front Door Security Is Important
It is an important aspect to realize the fact that even by having a fully fledged home security syst - Use Fire Seals On Fire Doors And Save Lives
Basically, a fire door is designed to save lives. This is the reason why there is such a big require - The Importance Of Front Door Security
The importance of your home's security hinges upon your door's quality and the lock system. For that
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Learn About The Basics of Basement Dehumidifier
Ever wonder how people keep their basement dry? Let me tell you a little secret. With proper air con - Cable Lock Foundation Repair
Foundation repairs are the most expensive, and sometimes the hardest type of damage to detect. This - What's Covering Your Windows?
At one time, curtain rods were used for only one purpose – hanging curtains. Today they are mu - Wooden Railings and Their Many Uses
Wooden railings remain one of the most common types of railings throughout the country. They not onl - Feng Shui To Greater Luck In This New Year
There are at least six ways to learn Feng Shui Luck. First you must learn and understand the very b - Adding A Pleasant Marble Coffee Table To Your Home
Usually, the couch or entertainment center get most of the attention in one's house, but there is no - Scroll Saw Basics
Scroll Saw Basics by Lee Bowman If you are wanting to try your hand at scroll work, a - How To Clean Wood Furniture
A room full of beautiful wood furniture brings warmth and elegance to any room, however, it's inevit - Welding And Metalwork: Strength And Function, Part 2
Metalwork is the art of making various objects out of metal. Most metalworkers are also called machi - The Bahamas Hurricane Shutter
Every year, hurricanes are formed in the ocean and wreak havoc when reaching land. This usually occu