The first microwave oven popcorn bag was invented in 1981 by James Watkins. He developed the idea while working for the Pillsbury Company, which later released the product under the brand name "Orville Redenbacher's Microwave Popcorn." This invention revolutionized the way people made popcorn at home, providing a convenient and quick method to prepare popcorn using a microwave oven. Prior to this invention, making popcorn typically involved using a stovetop or a dedicated popcorn machine. Microwave popcorn bags quickly gained popularity and became a staple snack for many households around the world.