Yes, Raytheon, an American defense contractor, is credited with the invention of microwave ovens. The development of the microwave oven was an accidental discovery made by Percy Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon, in 1945.
The story goes that Spencer was working on magnetrons, which are vacuum tubes that generate microwaves for use in radar systems during World War II. One day, while he was standing near a magnetron, he noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. Intrigued by this unexpected occurrence, he decided to experiment further.
Spencer tried heating other food items, including popcorn kernels and an egg, which resulted in the egg exploding. Recognizing the potential applications of this phenomenon, he and his team at Raytheon developed the first microwave oven, which they called the "Radarange."
The first commercial microwave oven was large, bulky, and expensive, mainly used in restaurants and industrial settings. Over time, the technology improved, and microwave ovens became more compact, affordable, and suitable for home use. Today, microwave ovens are common household appliances found in kitchens worldwide, thanks to the accidental invention by Raytheon's Percy Spencer.