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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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To: Chad C. Mulligan

“on October 5, 2007 APS President-elect Arthur Bienenstock presented a plaque to MIT to commemorate the MIT Radiation Laboratory that played a key role in the development of radar during World War II.”


41 posted on 01/02/2023 6:35:58 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Paladin2

I have a mug of warm milk just before I go to bed…..one minute does the trick in a microwave.

.


42 posted on 01/02/2023 6:36:43 PM PST by Mears (.)
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To: Mears

Milk has plenty of water to get excited by the EM wave....


43 posted on 01/02/2023 6:38:23 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: bigbob
We had a Raytheon TV in our basement when I was kid.

It lead to my discovery of William F. Buckley when I was in middle school.

Best TV ever!

44 posted on 01/02/2023 6:40:43 PM PST by lizma2
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To: SamAdams76

My family is shocked I do not own a microwave. I prefer my counter top convection oven.


45 posted on 01/02/2023 6:47:45 PM PST by vaskypilot
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To: Wilhelm Tell
I’m an old ham radio operator and I have wondered how the standing waves don’t fry the transmitter in a microwave oven.

That's why you never run it empty. You need something with water in it to absorb the energy.

46 posted on 01/02/2023 6:55:00 PM PST by KarlInOhio (Soon the January 6 protesters will be held (without trial or bail) longer than Jefferson Davis was.)
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To: DallasBiff

I swear I heard something back in the 80’s about a microwave home water heater. Then nothing.


47 posted on 01/02/2023 7:16:07 PM PST by BozoTexino (RIP GOP)
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To: KarlInOhio

I understand not running it empty. All that energy has to go somewhere. A microwave has to deal with widely varied loads, from heating a bagel to cooking a whole meal.


48 posted on 01/02/2023 7:16:17 PM PST by Wilhelm Tell (True or False? This is not a tag line.)
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To: DallasBiff

My brother as stationed with a Hawk missile battery near the DMZ (life expectancy measured in seconds). He said they would cook hotdogs on a stick held up to the radar dish.


49 posted on 01/02/2023 7:22:52 PM PST by NonValueAdded ("There should have been an age and risk stratification approach." still true)
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To: GaltMeister

“My Grandfather paid big bux for an early model ‘Amana Radar Range’ as they were called back then :-)”
My parents had one in the early 60’s. It was a monstrosity made of stainless steel. It was so heavy that you almost needed a forklift to move it.


50 posted on 01/02/2023 7:34:00 PM PST by wjcsux (RIP Rush Limbaugh 12 Jan 1951- 17 Feb 2021. We really miss you. 😢)
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To: metmom

>>Cooking food by heating it destroys the enzymes. No different than microwaves.

True, which is why there are raw-food enthusiasts who think that enzymes in food are good for you. But if plant enzymes, for example, actually get into your blood stream, you have “leaky gut” syndrome and it is a problem.


51 posted on 01/02/2023 8:16:08 PM PST by FarCenter
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To: DallasBiff

Just don’t put metal in one. My neighbor did that an hour ago and started a fire. My first clue was the rumble of a diesel engine, which in my 55+ community at 8:15 pm can mean only one thing...emergency vehicles. Five in total. Destroyed the microwave. Only casualty was the popcorn. That’s the difference between Arizona and Alaska. When I’m in Arizona and I hear the rumble of a diesel at night it’s emergency vehicles. When I’m in Alaska the rumble of a diesel at night means someone is driving by in their pickup truck.


52 posted on 01/02/2023 8:18:06 PM PST by AlaskaErik (There are three kinds of rats: Rats, Damned Rats, and DemocRats.)
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To: AlaskaErik

There once was a fad of microwaving CDs...


53 posted on 01/02/2023 8:28:06 PM PST by FarCenter
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To: GaltMeister

Yes, hard for me to remember exactly, but our first was labelled “Radar Range”


54 posted on 01/02/2023 8:28:57 PM PST by Warrington
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To: doorgunner69
Was WWII before or after the Civil War?

I am not sure. First I have to figure out when the War of 1812 started.

55 posted on 01/02/2023 8:30:32 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (The nation of france was named after a hedgehog... The hedgehog's name was Kevin... Don't ask)
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To: FarCenter

Or microwaving bars of soap.


56 posted on 01/02/2023 8:33:37 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Pocketdoor

Read some time ago about an accident with an AWACS turned on while on the ground-— one giant unshielded microwave. Can’t find the article anymore, but distinctly recall it killing ground personnel. Don’t know where one might find this— Aviation magazines or archives?


57 posted on 01/02/2023 8:59:33 PM PST by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis,)
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To: zeebee
The article reads like a sixth grade assignment.

A more interesting article is: The slow death of the microwave

Unlike laptop computer manufacturers, microwave oven manufacturers make their product too reliable. The best manufacturers go out of business.

Consumer technology S-curves:


58 posted on 01/02/2023 9:01:37 PM PST by Reeses
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To: FarCenter

In one food at least, blueberries, it is more nutritious cooked as the enzymes deactivate the biotin they contain, and since cooking destroys the enzymes, the biotin then becomes available for the body to use.

In the case of veggies containing beta carotene, the plant cell walls block the availability of it. Cooking breaks down the cell walls and something like 30 times more beta carotene becomes available from something like sweet potatoes or carrots, than raw.

So, yes, cooking does delete some nutrients, but if people generally ate better, that would not be a problem.


59 posted on 01/02/2023 9:26:28 PM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…)
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To: Wilhelm Tell

I was still in school working full time with the guy, did not know enough at the time to ask questions.

He did describe efforts to distribute the energy. But now how.
Said they would cook stuff and look at the pattern of heating.
Not smooth, until Sharp invented the rotating platter.

Someone made a wind up platter as I recall.


60 posted on 01/02/2023 9:40:33 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Let's go Brandon)
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