The Invention of Microwave Oven Essay

A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that is used to boil water, reheat food, make popcorns or defrost any food within minutes. A microwave oven uses high-frequency radio waves and thermal energy, and this makes it relatively fast compared to other methods of cooking such as the gas cylinders and convention ovens that use heat. The food on the microwave is bombarded, and the water molecules and fat absorb the thermal heat which reheats or cook the food. A microwave makes life easier just like any main purpose of a machine. With just a touch of a button, a microwave can boil or reheat food, and this makes it efficient to use either at home or for commercial purposes.

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A microwave is used in restaurants to heat already cooked food to save on time during the rush hours, for instance, during lunchtime when restaurants are mostly crowded with hungry people. Food industries also use microwave ovens in some ways. For example, microwave ovens are used for roasting beans and peanuts, defrosting meat and even pre-cooking them. Other industries that don't deal with food also use the microwave for drying corks, wet books, textiles, tobacco, pencils among others. Due to the small sizes and costs of microwaves, the study shows that almost 90% of the US population use microwave oven appliances. Due to its low price and size, many consumers are now using microwaves as part of their kitchen appliances in their homes.

The microwave oven was invented as an accident by Dr Percy Spencer when working on magnetrons in his laboratory. Dr Spencer was a self-taught engineer. A chocolate bar he had in his pocket melted when he was working on magnetron and vacuum tubes. Out of curiosity, Dr Spencer placed popcorns next to the magnetron, and the popcorns popped all over. The next morning, in front of curious viewers, Dr Spencer used an egg that ended up burning one of his workmate's face. It is from that experiment that Dr Spencer came up with the idea of using microwaves to cook food. He designed a metal box because microwaves do pass through metals, and used the box to cook. The use of microwaves could cook faster compared to the conventions that used heat to cook. In 1945, they applied for a patent, and in 1946, Dr Spencer and Raytheon manufactured microwaves. Their entrepreneurial characters also moved Dr Spencer and Raytheon because they invented the microwave and introduced it to the market to gain profit.

The innovation of the microwave oven cannot be directly associated with existing technology since it came as an accident in the first place. The use of microwaves to cook was a new idea in the market and completely different technology adopted in the earlier versions of ovens. It was hard to predict the success of a technology that uses microwave waves in the market. It was crucial for Dr Spencer and Raytheon to convince the market of the success of the microwave. Only changes and modifications could be made with the advanced technology to the microwave oven.

When the microwave was introduced to the market, it was referred to as radarange because it was an invention that had resulted as a by-product of another technology. It was an invention that came about as a result of an accident. However, radarange was not consumer friendly to its users because it was huge and expensive. Radarange had to be hooked to a water pipe that cooled the magnetrons, and the consumers thought it was not safe to use. It was used for commercial purposes in restaurants. With modifications of technology, a division of Raytheon designed a microwave oven appliance that could be used in people's homes.

The invention of microwaves has made work easier at home and in the food industries that use this invention every other day. Other industries such as the textile industry also use microwave ovens in the manufacturing of their products. However, the use of microwaves has sparked a lot of debate because of the use of the microwave radiation energy and the possible effects it may have on health. Since the invention of radarange, people have always been sceptical about the use of microwaves. The design of microwave boxes was to keep the radiation within the boxes and prevent them from coming out. The radiation is only present when the microwave oven is switched on. The use of a microwave oven is safe when used accordingly and kept in good working conditions. The microwave emissions of radiation energy should be low to prevent any health hazard problems to the consumers. Consumers are also advised to be at a safe distance when using microwaves in case of any emissions that may occur from faulty appliances.

Another health concern with the use of microwaves is the type of food it cooks. The food may not be well cooked because the heat produced in the microwave is sometimes unevenly circulated. The food may be too hot because it is cooked with thermal radiation and it is advised that the food should be given a few minutes for it to cook properly. The study, however, shows that the food cooked in a microwave oven does not pose any nutritional concerns because it does not contain radioactive. The body of a microwave consists of plastic and metal, and this may produce toxic which is harmful to our health.

Although the modern use of microwave proves to be one of the technological breakthroughs, it is argued that it is killing the fine art of cooking. The modern generation relies on the use of modern microwave ovens as it makes life easier for the consumers. People rely on the microwave to adapt to the busy life. The use of microwave ovens has led to the introduction of new food products which can be easily cooked with the microwave. This helps society to balance time spent between work and personal activities. Less time is spent in the kitchen and more time spent with the family to relieve the day's stress of work. Use of microwaves also influences the design of the kitchen as many kitchens are structured to incorporate the microwave ovens. The same structure is also incorporated in the food and restaurant places that heavily use microwaves to save on time and production of high-quality food.

A microwave oven is easy to use and can be used by people of all groups. When compared to the traditional method of cooking, a microwave oven uses less time and saves on time spent in the kitchen. There is no waste of time, and it only takes two minutes to warm frozen food. A lot of people make a lot of food and store them in a refrigerator and then use a microwave oven to warm or heat the food. The natural color of vegetables and food is preserved.

There are a lot of modern modifications that have improved the use of a modern microwave. The introduction of sensors that stop the microwave when food has completed cooking. A variety of cooking methods has also been introduced, and the modern microwaves can fry and bake. Making dough and yogurt is also possible with the fermentation cycle of a microwave. Other companies are also making portable microwaves that can be charged and used later. These portable microwaves can save up heat that can be used during a long journey or a trip and you need to warm food.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the invention of the microwave oven has helped society save on time spent in the kitchen, and it has become part of our kitchen appliance. It has made the art of cooking much easier and possibly even to children since they can cook food just by the touch of a button. The large population using microwave demonstrates how effective and efficient it is. The invention of portable and chargeable microwaves makes travelling long distances much easier because it is now possible to heat food or even cook within a matter of minutes. The gradual changes and new modifications of technology over the years make people feel safe using the microwave because it has always faced a lot of scepticism. Its use of radiation energy and thermal energy may cause health problems, but it is advised that when used in good conditions, a microwave oven is very safe.

Bibliography

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