Who Invented the Microwave?
The discovery of microwave oven technology was a by-product of radar technology research being carried out by self taught electronics engineer, Percy Spencer. Spencer was investigating the uses of the magnetron, a unit which could generate microwaves using a stream of electrons controlled by an external magnetic field. Magnetrons were used in aircraft detection technology which helped the Allies win World War II.
After World War II companies such as Raytheon, where Spencer worked, began looking for alternative uses for their magnetrons. Famously, Spencer noticed the link between the magnetron and the heating of food while apparently testing the magnetron and finding that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. Making the connection, Spencer and a colleague experimented further, firstly placing an egg near the magnetron, then popcorn (though some say the popcorn preceded the egg). The egg, when exposed to low level microwave energy rapidly heated and exploded over the scientists. The popcorn also cooked in a very short space of time.
Spencer next constructed a metal box and fed microwave energy into it from a magnetron. When food was placed in the box the temperature rose quickly, and the first microwave oven was invented. Engineers at Raytheon continued developing this new idea, creating a more practical version and patenting the idea in 1946. The first commercially available microwave oven was released in 1947, named the Radarange. The first Radarange was installed in the ship NS Savannah, and remains there to this day. The oven was a huge unit, being almost 6ft tall and weighing in excess of 750lbs, making it impractical for the domestic market. It consumed a large amount of energy and was very expensive. Over the next 20 years smaller and more efficient units were produced for the commercial market, but they were unpopular and still held a high price tag.
In 1967 Raytheon bought the Armana corporation, who manufactured air conditioning units, plus domestic refrigerators and freezers. Via Armana, Raytheon produced their first domestic counter top Radarange microwave oven at a much more accessible price. Initially there were fears over radiation and other related risks, but over time users and potential customers realised the oven was not dangerous when used correctly and fears were allayed. News of the convenience and ease of use of microwave ovens began to spread. After a slow start, domestic microwave ovens began to sell at a considerable rate during the 1970s, and by 1986 over 25% of households in the US owned a microwave oven. Microwave ovens began to outsell traditional gas ovens 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 sadly did not see the full popularity of his creation. Having come from a poor educational background, Spencer was a self taught engineer and continued working for Raytheon, becoming Senior Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors, until he passed away aged 76. By then his named was held on over 150 patents, and in 1999 was added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, acknowledging his contribution to the scientific world, and the impact of his work on society
The discovery of microwave oven technology was a by-product of radar technology research being carried out by self taught electronics engineer, Percy Spencer. Spencer was investigating the uses of the magnetron, a unit which could generate microwaves using a stream of electrons controlled by an external magnetic field. Magnetrons were used in aircraft detection technology which helped the Allies win World War II.
After World War II companies such as Raytheon, where Spencer worked, began looking for alternative uses for their magnetrons. Famously, Spencer noticed the link between the magnetron and the heating of food while apparently testing the magnetron and finding that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. Making the connection, Spencer and a colleague experimented further, firstly placing an egg near the magnetron, then popcorn (though some say the popcorn preceded the egg). The egg, when exposed to low level microwave energy rapidly heated and exploded over the scientists. The popcorn also cooked in a very short space of time.
Spencer next constructed a metal box and fed microwave energy into it from a magnetron. When food was placed in the box the temperature rose quickly, and the first microwave oven was invented. Engineers at Raytheon continued developing this new idea, creating a more practical version and patenting the idea in 1946. The first commercially available microwave oven was released in 1947, named the Radarange. The first Radarange was installed in the ship NS Savannah, and remains there to this day. The oven was a huge unit, being almost 6ft tall and weighing in excess of 750lbs, making it impractical for the domestic market. It consumed a large amount of energy and was very expensive. Over the next 20 years smaller and more efficient units were produced for the commercial market, but they were unpopular and still held a high price tag.
In 1967 Raytheon bought the Armana corporation, who manufactured air conditioning units, plus domestic refrigerators and freezers. Via Armana, Raytheon produced their first domestic counter top Radarange microwave oven at a much more accessible price. Initially there were fears over radiation and other related risks, but over time users and potential customers realised the oven was not dangerous when used correctly and fears were allayed. News of the convenience and ease of use of microwave ovens began to spread. After a slow start, domestic microwave ovens began to sell at a considerable rate during the 1970s, and by 1986 over 25% of households in the US owned a microwave oven. Microwave ovens began to outsell traditional gas ovens 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 sadly did not see the full popularity of his creation. Having come from a poor educational background, Spencer was a self taught engineer and continued working for Raytheon, becoming Senior Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors, until he passed away aged 76. By then his named was held on over 150 patents, and in 1999 was added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, acknowledging his contribution to the scientific world, and the impact of his work on society
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