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The Fascinating History of Microwave Ovens
McGuinnis ^ | 3/3/22 | Administrator

Posted on 01/02/2023 5:13:20 PM PST by DallasBiff

Did you know that the microwave oven wasn’t actually invented until after World War II? In fact, it was developed by two scientists who were working on radar technology for the military. They discovered that if they directed microwaves at food, it would heat up quickly. And so, the microwave oven was born! This blog post will explore the fascinating history of this kitchen appliance and how it has evolved over the years.

Microwave ovens have come a long way since they were first invented. In the early days, they were large and expensive, and only restaurants and hospitals could afford to use them. But over time, the technology has become more affordable and portable, so now almost everyone can enjoy the convenience of a microwave oven.

(Excerpt) Read more at mcguinnis.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Food
KEYWORDS: microwave
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Microwaves have been around for more than 40 years, had to put one I had for over 10 years in the trash today. It felt like putting a pet to sleep.
1 posted on 01/02/2023 5:13:20 PM PST by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
Did you know that the microwave oven wasn’t actually invented until after World War II?
Given the tone of this line, it's clear that the author can hardly expect the audience to know when was WWII.
2 posted on 01/02/2023 5:19:32 PM PST by nicollo ("I said no!")
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To: DallasBiff

My Grandfather paid big bux for an early model ‘Amana Radar Range’ as they were called back then :-)


3 posted on 01/02/2023 5:22:54 PM PST by GaltMeister (All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.)
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To: nicollo

And what’s with the i i? What’s that even mean.


4 posted on 01/02/2023 5:23:02 PM PST by Lurkina.n.Learnin (The road to tyranny is paved with compliance )
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To: DallasBiff

“they can produce harmful radiation, so they should not be used in close proximity to human beings or pets. “

that’s why mine is in my storage barn and has a remote start on it so i can get a running start away from it before it starts up ... i know my method is safe because i don’t glow in the dark ...


5 posted on 01/02/2023 5:23:09 PM PST by catnipman (In a post-covid world, ALL "science" is now political science: stolen elections have consequences)
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To: DallasBiff
My friends father was a builder and had the first built in Microwave in the area.

Crazy to bake a potato in 4 minutes. But in the end...it's all about the butter and sour cream.

When mom did them in the oven, she always rolled them in salt first. Ummmmm good....crispy salted skins.

6 posted on 01/02/2023 5:24:01 PM PST by Sacajaweau ( )
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To: catnipman

same with early tvs...


7 posted on 01/02/2023 5:25:19 PM PST by Sacajaweau ( )
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To: nicollo

Was WWII before or after the Civil War?


8 posted on 01/02/2023 5:26:06 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Let's go Brandon)
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To: DallasBiff
I still want my Mr. Fusion.


9 posted on 01/02/2023 5:26:45 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Paladin2

https://www.sideshow.com/collectibles/back-to-the-future-mr-fusion-factory-entertainment-911864


10 posted on 01/02/2023 5:28:57 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: DallasBiff

Worked with an engineer had some involvement in early oven design.

Apparently it took some serious work to radiate a magnetron into a closed metal box without destroying it from reflected power.


11 posted on 01/02/2023 5:30:36 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Let's go Brandon)
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To: doorgunner69

The first microwaves were actually called a radar range AND they were so heavy it was crazy!!


12 posted on 01/02/2023 5:34:07 PM PST by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: DallasBiff

The article reads like a sixth grade assignment.
(Paraphrasing):
“Microwave ovens can cook foods faster. In addition they can also save time. “


13 posted on 01/02/2023 5:34:59 PM PST by zeebee ( The left thinks they can train smart people to be stupid.)
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To: nicollo

Or that the magnetron developing sufficient power to cook food was only reduced to practice in 1940.


14 posted on 01/02/2023 5:35:09 PM PST by FarCenter
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To: DallasBiff

I had always heard the chocolate bar story.

Is that an urban legend?

I saw a vintage first gen Radar Range at a thrift shop the other day.

It is fun what you can see there sometimes


15 posted on 01/02/2023 5:36:49 PM PST by algore
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To: DallasBiff

I just remember the story of the guy working on a radar and discovered that his chocolate bar had melted in his pocket while he was working on it.


16 posted on 01/02/2023 5:36:52 PM PST by Pocketdoor
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To: DallasBiff

I got one in 1980. Expensive, heavy and no turntable on the first ones. But it was great for warming up our newborn daughter’s bottle.


17 posted on 01/02/2023 5:37:32 PM PST by AlaskaErik (There are three kinds of rats: Rats, Damned Rats, and DemocRats.)
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To: doorgunner69

Raytheon was one of few companies that had the expertise to figure it out, thanks to WWII research with the MIT Radiation Labs, and fortunately owned Amana, which knew a lot about how to make consumer appliances. It took both to make the microwave oven a reality and even then, a decade of cost reductions to make it a true consumer item.


18 posted on 01/02/2023 5:37:40 PM PST by bigbob (z)
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To: DallasBiff

I recall my mom taking us to a home show, about 1958, at our local YMCA and there was one. They showed how fast a hot dog can be cooked. To the 7 year old me, it was magic!


19 posted on 01/02/2023 5:40:09 PM PST by llevrok (Pronouns: Me/myself/& I)
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To: catnipman

According to my daughter-in-law the microwaves destroy all the enzymes in the food, destroying its nutrition.

Although, as far as I understand, enzymes, being proteins, are cleaved into amino acids by your gut.


20 posted on 01/02/2023 5:40:31 PM PST by FarCenter
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