Which company created the first commercial microwave oven in 1947?

The invention of the microwave oven, a staple in kitchens worldwide, has a fascinating origin story rooted in post-World War II radar technology. The credit for creating the first commercial microwave oven in 1947 goes to Raytheon, a company then known primarily for its defense contracting work. This groundbreaking appliance emerged from an accidental discovery made by Percy Spencer, an American self-taught engineer and inventor who worked for Raytheon.

Spencer's "aha!" moment occurred while he was experimenting with a magnetron, the high-powered vacuum tube that generates the microwaves used in radar systems. He noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket melted when he was standing near an active magnetron. Intrigued, he then tried popping popcorn and cooking an egg with the microwave energy, confirming its potential for culinary applications. This serendipitous observation quickly led to the development of what Raytheon would call the "Radarange."

The first commercial Radarange, introduced in 1947, was a massive and expensive unit, standing nearly six feet tall and weighing over 750 pounds. It was initially marketed to restaurants, railway dining cars, and other commercial establishments, not for home kitchens. Its high cost and large size made it impractical for residential use at the time. However, it marked the beginning of a revolutionary shift in how food could be prepared, paving the way for the smaller, more affordable countertop models that would eventually become ubiquitous in homes across the globe.