Percy LeBaron Spencer
Percy LeBaron Spencer was born on July 9, 1894 and dead on September 8, 1970. Like some interesting inventions, the microwave was created by accident. Percy Spencer was working with the Raytheon Corporation. They were working on a new vacuum tube, when he found that a candy bar had melted in his pocket. Interested, he experimented with popcorn kernels. He placed the kernels near the vacuum tube, and watched as the popcorn popped.
The next day, Spencer and another colleague experimented with an egg. They placed the egg near the tube once again. Amazed, the men watched the egg tremble and shake. Spencer’s colleague leaned down to stare at the egg, as it exploded in his face. Little did they know, they had just revolutionized cooking.
So Spencer created a box that was fed microwave power. Since the power couldn't escape, the temperature of the food in the microwave rose dramatically, cooking it faster.
As most early appliances, the first microwave was huge! At 6 feet tall, 750 lbs., and $5,000, the microwave was a nuisance more than a convenience. The first microwave sold went to a Boston restaurant for testing in 1947.
Fast forward thirty years later, when microwaves were selling more than gas ranges. The microwave made things easier, like shucking oysters. The size had magically transformed to fit on your counter-top and all sorts of colors as well.
When Percy Spencer died at age 76, he was said to have more than 150 patents, be one of the leading microwave experts, and was inducted into the inventors’ hall of fame.
The next day, Spencer and another colleague experimented with an egg. They placed the egg near the tube once again. Amazed, the men watched the egg tremble and shake. Spencer’s colleague leaned down to stare at the egg, as it exploded in his face. Little did they know, they had just revolutionized cooking.
So Spencer created a box that was fed microwave power. Since the power couldn't escape, the temperature of the food in the microwave rose dramatically, cooking it faster.
As most early appliances, the first microwave was huge! At 6 feet tall, 750 lbs., and $5,000, the microwave was a nuisance more than a convenience. The first microwave sold went to a Boston restaurant for testing in 1947.
Fast forward thirty years later, when microwaves were selling more than gas ranges. The microwave made things easier, like shucking oysters. The size had magically transformed to fit on your counter-top and all sorts of colors as well.
When Percy Spencer died at age 76, he was said to have more than 150 patents, be one of the leading microwave experts, and was inducted into the inventors’ hall of fame.
