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Microwave oven, an electrical appliance that is now indispensable in hundreds of millions of households around the world, was born by an accidental discovery.This electrical appliance can quickly heat and cook food through microwave radiation, and the story behind it is full of scientific inspiration for brain-opening ideas.On a normal day in the 1940s, American engineer Percy Spencer unexpectedly discovered the wonderful effect of microwave heating while working, which also paved the way for later microwave oven technology.
Start from accidental discovery
In 1945, Parcy Spencer was developing radar technology, and at this time he noticed the melting of candies in his pocket.This is caused by microwaves emitted by the high-power microwave radar he operates.Through this intuitive experience, Spencer immediately began to conduct experiments to explore the potential of microwave-heating food.
"The first time the food heated with electronic microwave was popcorn, and an egg exploded during the experiment."
These preliminary experiments laid the foundation for the development of microwave cooking techniques.After confirming that microwaves can quickly heat food, Spencer filed a related patent application with the U.S. Patent Office in 1945, a process of great significance, as it marked the official beginning of microwave oven technology.
Milestones of commercialization
In 1947, Raytheon officially launched the first commercial microwave oven, named Radarange.This microwave is as high as 1.8 meters, weighs 340 kg, and costs up to $5,000.Such a price and volume make it not suitable for home use at the time, but is mainly used in commercial venues such as restaurants.
"Radar furnaces are expensive and large in size, which makes them unacceptable to families."
With the progress of the times, microwave oven technology has gradually matured, and more companies have begun to develop and produce microwave ovens.For example, in 1967, Amana launched the first microwave oven that can be placed on countertops, and this change has led to the entry of microwave ovens into ordinary homes.By the 1970s, with the decline in prices and the continuous advancement of technology, microwave ovens quickly became popular and became a common kitchen appliance in homes.
Principles of microwave cooking
The working principle of a microwave oven is to heat food using microwave radiation.Microwaves are non-ionizing radiation that mainly operate at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, which can effectively vibrate water molecules and generate heat energy.This heating method is often called dielectric heating, in which water molecules rotate as polar molecules in an electric field and convert energy into thermal energy.
"The working principle of a microwave oven does not simply heat water molecules, but makes it rotate under the influence of changing electric fields."
The Challenge of Microwave Cooking
Although microwave cooking efficiency is high, alcohol and fatty foods can sometimes exceed the required temperature and even cause accidents when heated in a microwave oven.Many microwaves cannot directly make the surface of food golden and crispy, which leads to their limited use in professional kitchens.However, through the combination of convection technology, microwaves have also begun to adapt to these challenges, providing a more comprehensive cooking option.
Future Outlook
With the advancement of technology, the future microwave oven will not only further innovate in cooking methods, but also continue to improve energy conservation and efficiency.For consumers, understanding the principles of microwave cooking and its advantages and disadvantages can help them make smarter choices.
In this journey of inspiration, we can't help but think: perhaps the next inventor who bursts out inspiration will discover another amazing kitchen revolution at a normal moment when combined with technology. What else would such a miracle be?
