The microwave oven was named after the technology it utilizes: microwaves. The term "microwave" refers to the electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from approximately one meter to one millimeter, which includes the radio waves used in radar systems. The microwave oven uses these microwaves to generate heat and cook food.
The name "microwave oven" was coined by Dr. Percy Spencer, an American engineer and inventor who played a significant role in developing early microwave technology. In the late 1940s, Dr. Spencer was working on radar-related research at Raytheon Corporation when he noticed that a candy bar in his pocket melted near a magnetron, a component used in radar systems. Intrigued by this observation, he conducted further experiments and eventually developed the first microwave oven.
When Raytheon Corporation introduced their microwave oven for commercial use in 1947, they called it the "Radarange." However, this name was primarily used for industrial models due to the association with radar technology. The term "microwave oven" became more commonly used to describe the household versions of the appliance, emphasizing the use of microwaves for cooking.
The name "microwave" is more closely associated with the specific wavelength of electromagnetic radiation used in cooking, distinguishing it from other types of ovens like conventional or convection ovens. While the technology shares similarities with radar systems, the term "microwave" highlights its primary mechanism of heating food through the use of microwaves, rather than focusing on its radar-related origins.
Thus, the name "microwave oven" was chosen to reflect the specific heating method employed by the appliance, emphasizing its use of microwaves rather than radar technology.