Microwave Oven Day ▪︎ December 6
The microwave oven began with a simple accident in the 1940s.
Engineer Percy Spencer was testing a radar device called a magnetron when he noticed the chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. The magnetron produced microwaves that made water molecules move super fast, creating heat. Anything with water, fat, or sugar reacted instantly.
He tried popcorn next. It popped fast.
Then he tried an egg. It burst.
That’s when he knew these waves could actually cook food.
• Chocolate melted
Chocolate has sugar and fat. Microwaves hit it, the molecules moved fast, and it warmed up quickly—even inside a pocket. No fire needed.
• Popcorn popped
Each kernel has a tiny drop of water inside. Microwaves heated that water fast, pressure built, boom—pop.
• Egg burst
Eggs trap steam. When microwaves heated the inside faster than the shell could release pressure, it exploded. Classic microwave chaos.
Raytheon built the first commercial microwave in 1947. It was huge and expensive, meant for restaurants and ships. But the idea was already moving forward.
By the 1960s and 70s, the design finally became smaller and cheaper. Families started buying microwaves because they made everyday life easier—quick heating, easy meals, and fewer pots to clean.
By the 1980s, the microwave became a normal part of the home. Leftovers, drinks, snacks—everything faster.
One odd moment led to a tool that saves time for millions. Nothing fancy—just an invention that helps life run smoother.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
