History - Inventions and discoveries - Microwave ovens - Magnetrons - United States - History of inventions
Which American engineer developed the first microwave oven in 1945?
Correct!
In 1945, American engineer Percy Spencer worked at Raytheon on magnetrons - components that generate high-frequency electromagnetic waves for radar systems. He noticed that the microwaves could also heat food. The story became famous that a candy bar in his pocket melted while Spencer was working near a magnetron. He then experimented with popcorn, among other things, and recognized the potential of microwaves for cooking food. In 1945, Spencer and Raytheon employees developed a microwave oven from it. The corresponding patent process for heating food with electromagnetic energy was also initiated in 1945; the patent was later granted. However, the first devices had little in common with today's kitchen microwaves. Early models were huge; the Smithsonian describes devices approximately 1.8 meters tall and weighing more than 340 kilograms.
Percy Spencer developed the first microwave oven at Raytheon in 1945.
