Microwave2

A Timeline of the Microwave Oven

By ddolezal

  • Cavity Magnetron Tube Invented

    Cavity Magnetron Tube Invented
    In 1940, Sir John Turton Randall and Henry Boot produced a working prototype of the cavity magnetron tube at the University of Birmingham.

  • Microwaves Melt Chocolate

    Microwaves Melt Chocolate
    While working on microwaves at the company Raytheon, Percy Spencer notices that the chocolate bar in his pocket has started to melt! The first food intentionally cooked was popcorn, the second was an egg.

  • US Patent Placed on Microwave Technology...

    ...for the "method of treating foodstuffs" and the first microwave was put in a Boston restaurant for testing.

  • The Public Uses the Microwave Oven

    The Public Uses the Microwave Oven
    Speedy Weeny vending machine uses microwave technology and is placed in Grand Central Terminal for people to buy hot dogs.

  • First Commercial Microwave Available

    First Commercial Microwave Available
    It cost $5,000 (around $50,000 today) and was 6 ft. tall

  • First Domestic Counter Top Microwaves Introduced

    First Domestic Counter Top Microwaves Introduced
    These were around $500 (or $3400 today)

  • 1 in 4 US Homes Have a Microwave

    1 in 4 US Homes Have a Microwave

  • 9 out of 10 US Homes are Estimated to Have a Microwave

    9 out of 10 US Homes are Estimated to Have a Microwave