National Microwave Oven Day

Happy National Microwave Oven Day! 

A microwave oven is “a kitchen appliance that heats food by bombarding it with electromagnetic radiation in the microwave spectrum causing polarized molecules in the food to rotate and build up thermal energy in a process known as dielectric heating.” This contraption is also known as just a microwave. 

(Image found at: http://greenasathistle.com/2007/03/12/microwave-goodbye-day-12/)

The first known microwave is suggested as 1934, however it wasn’t until roughly 10 years later that they were food-friendly. The first commercial microwave was placed on the market in 1947. They started to become household fixtures in the 1970s, but it was a slow start for the microwave over. The later 1980s to the mid 1990s are essentially when the “microwave oven craze” began, which is actually around the same time that prepackaged foods and the convenience mentality began to emerge! 

(Image found at: http://www.smecc.org/microwave_oven.htm)

Even though this is a pretty cool invention, many a leery to use this technology, because of the risks associated with its use. Some of these feared risks are the exposure to radiation and other chemical substances. Other than that, there really isn’t a whole lot to tell about the ‘ol microwave oven. So, I’ll let you take the time to vote on the Daily Poll!