![\"\"](\"http:\/\/historyoftech.mcclurken.org\/microwave\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Percy-Spencer-with-Microwave.png\")
<\/a>-oven-1965.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
He developed a skill for electrical work that lead him through a plethora of jobs in the field. [3] His time working at Raytheon Corporation was the career path that changed technology forever. One day while on the job he was testing a magnetron and noticed that the chocolate bar he had in his back pocket had completely melted. [4] He began to test a lot of foods, and discovered that he could cook food using this technology a lot faster than a convention oven. He patented the invention in 1945. [5]<\/p>\n
From then on Raytheon put all its efforts into, not only developing, but also mass-producing a microwave oven. The first prototype cost the company $100,000 to construct. The first commercial was sold to Cleveland Restaurant 1947 for $3000. [6] It was \u201c a free standing, white enameled unit operating on 220 volts of electricity that required an internal water-cooling system.” [7] The high price narrowed the company\u2019s target market to predominately hotels, restaurants, railroads, and cruise ships. [8] In 1952, the company developed a model for an in-home microwave. It was five and a half feet tall and weighed 750 pounds. [9] This made it unreasonable for domestic use. The company licensed Hotpoint, Westinghouse, Kelvinator, Whirlpool, and Tappan in an attempt to develop a more practical model. [10] The first microwave put out for a mass public debut in October 1955. It fit with a 40-inch range. It was stainless steel on the outside and aluminum on the inside with a glass shelf. It had dual cooking speeds and an oven timer. [11] What started sort of by accident, lead to a fulfilled dream of mass production.<\/p>\n Spencer went on to receive several awards for his invention, including an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts, and was inducted as a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Institute of Radio Engineers. [12] He passed away in 1970. [13]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Endnotes<\/strong><\/p>\n [1] Murray, Don. \u201cPercy Spencer and His Itch to Know.\u201d Reader\u2019s Digest, 1958, 114.<\/p>\n [2] Ibid.<\/p>\n [3] Ibid.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>