The first microwave oven, the 1947 Radarange, was a towering, water-cooled marvel priced at thousands of dollars, far from the kitchen appliance we know today.
First microwave oven introduced in 1947
In 1947, Raytheon introduced the Radarange, the first microwave oven available for purchase. It was a massive device, standing 1.80 meters tall, weighing 340 kilograms, and requiring water cooling, making it unsuitable for home kitchens.High cost limited early microwave use
The Radarange was extremely expensive, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 at the time. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to tens of thousands of dollars today, restricting its use to commercial and industrial buyers rather than individual households.Microwave technology originated in wartime research
The microwave oven's core component, the magnetron, was developed during World War II for military radar systems. Physicists John Randall and Henry Boot created it at the University of Birmingham in 1939, under the guidance of Mark Oliphant.Raytheon scaled magnetron production for microwave ovens
At Raytheon, engineer Percy Spencer adapted the magnetron for cooking purposes. He increased production from 20 units per day to 2,600, enabling the development of the Radarange. Raytheon filed a patent for the microwave oven in 1945, and Spencer received a small bonus for his contribution.Early microwave ovens targeted commercial markets
The first Radarange was sold to a restaurant in Cleveland, highlighting its limited appeal for home use. The device was primarily marketed to restaurants, cruise ships, and large corporations that could justify the high cost and large size.Countertop microwave ovens became available in 1967
It was not until 1967 that microwave ovens became practical for home use. Amana, a Raytheon subsidiary, introduced a countertop model for $495, significantly smaller and more affordable. This marked the beginning of microwave ovens becoming common household appliances.
