Spencer, Percy LeBaron (1894-1970), an American inventor , discovered principles leading to the first microwave ovens . Microwave ovens use high-energy radio waves, called microwaves , to heat and cook food.
Spencer was born in July 1894 in Howland, Maine. He joined the United States Navy in 1912 to learn about radio technology. In 1925, he became a technician at a company called Raytheon. At the time, Raytheon specialized in radio electronics.
During World War II (1939-1945), the Allies relied on radar to detect enemy ships and planes. Radar systems at that time used powerful microwave-producing devices called magnetrons. Spencer designed improvements to speed up production of magnetrons. Because of his suggestions, Raytheon was able to produce most of the magnetrons used in the war. For his work, Spencer won the Navy’s highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award.
In 1945, Spencer observed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted after he stood next to a working magnetron. This occurrence gave Spencer the idea that microwave energy could be used to heat food. Spencer next found that magnetrons made popcorn kernels pop. Spencer received a patent on the microwave cooking method in 1950. Meanwhile, Raytheon introduced the first microwave oven, called the Radarange. Marketed to restaurants and businesses, the device sold for thousands of dollars and stood over 5 feet (1.5 meters) high.
Spencer earned over 120 patents in his lifetime. He died on Sept. 7, 1970.
