National Microwave Oven Day is celebrated on December 6 each year. The microwave oven changed the way people cook, reheat leftovers and make popcorn, and today it's found in most American kitchens. The day celebrates the surprising story of its invention, which began with a melted candy bar, and is a good time to learn how microwaves work and how to use them safely.
History of National Microwave Oven Day
During World War II, engineers worked on radar systems that used devices called magnetrons to produce microwaves. In 1945, Percy Spencer, a self-taught engineer at the Raytheon company, noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted while he was working near an active magnetron. Curious, he tried placing popcorn kernels near the device, and they popped. He then tried an egg, which cooked so quickly it burst.
Raytheon filed a patent for microwave cooking in 1945, and in 1947 it introduced the first commercial microwave oven, called the Radarange. It stood nearly six feet tall, weighed around 750 pounds and was used mainly by restaurants, ships and railroads.
In 1967, Amana, a company owned by Raytheon, introduced a countertop microwave for homes, priced at about $495. Prices dropped over the next two decades, and microwaves spread rapidly in the 1980s. Today, the vast majority of U.S. households own one. Who created National Microwave Oven Day is not documented.
Why National Microwave Oven Day Matters
The microwave oven is a great example of an accidental discovery leading to a world-changing invention. Spencer's curiosity turned a strange observation into a new technology.
Microwaves save time and energy, especially for reheating and small portions, which helped change daily routines for busy families.
Understanding how microwaves work, by making water molecules in food vibrate and heat up, also helps people use them safely and avoid common mistakes, such as heating metal or sealed containers.
How to Celebrate National Microwave Oven Day
- Make microwave popcorn: celebrate the first food Spencer tested.
- Try a mug recipe: bake a mug cake or make a quick omelet.
- Clean your microwave: steam a bowl of water and lemon, then wipe it out.
- Learn the science: read how microwaves heat water molecules.
- Practice safety: use microwave-safe containers and stir food for even heating.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, host a 'microwave chef' challenge with mug cakes or quick lunches in the office kitchen, and remind everyone to clean up spills. In classrooms, students can learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, compare microwaves with visible light and radio waves, or discuss famous accidental inventions. At home, families can make microwave popcorn or mug cakes together and review safety rules: no metal, no sealed containers, and careful handling of hot food and steam. Supervise young children when using the microwave.
Fun Facts About National Microwave Oven Day
- Percy Spencer discovered microwave cooking in 1945 after a candy bar melted.
- The first commercial microwave, the Radarange, weighed about 750 pounds.
- Countertop home microwaves were introduced in 1967.
National Microwave Oven Day FAQs
When is National Microwave Oven Day?
National Microwave Oven Day is celebrated on December 6 each year.
Who invented the microwave oven?
Engineer Percy Spencer of Raytheon discovered microwave cooking in 1945.
How does a microwave oven work?
It produces microwaves that make water molecules in food vibrate, creating heat.
What was the first microwave called?
The first commercial microwave oven was called the Radarange.
Why can't you put metal in a microwave?
Metal can reflect microwaves and cause sparks, which may damage the oven or start a fire.
When did microwaves become common in homes?
Countertop microwaves were introduced in 1967 and became widespread in the 1980s.