He lost his father when he was a toddler and his mother when he was at sixth standard. He finished his journey from village school to a local workshop as an apprentice at the tender age of thirteen. That was his academic knowledge and the rest he taught by himself. That self-taught engineer was so brilliant at his business that the US Army appointed him with a group of Ivy League scientists for the second most important project of WW-II. That project was, developing state-of-the-art radar technology. However, that genius ended up inventing a fancy kitchen gadget – the microwave oven.
A Humble Inventor of Microwave Oven and His Invention of Serendipity
His radars were destroying enemy convoys here and there and he was receiving both awards and rewards from the government. Despite such unprecedented success, he was not happy at all. The reason behind that unhappiness was his ‘highly educated’ colleagues who would never spare a single opportunity to remind him that he didn’t belong there. During any conversation, they used to force him to address them as ‘Doctor’. Legend says, despite all these insults from his colleagues, that brilliant American engineer Percy Spencer kept working on his deadly combat-ready radar technology Magnetron at M.I.T. Radiation Laboratory.
One day, when he was working standing in front of Magnetron then he noticed that the machine had melted the candy bar in his pocket. Intrigued Spencer placed a bowl of corn in front of his machine and prepared the world’s first microwaved popcorn. The next day, he placed an egg under that machine and one of his skeptic colleagues started staring at the process pretty closely and the poached egg blasted on his face. Thus, Magnetron prepared the world’s first poached egg.
After that, it was twenty years and a series of modifications before Magnetron finally entered the kitchen as a microwave oven. Though the entire concept of cooking without heat was kind of alien back then. Still, one genius inventor Percy Spencer made it possible. Modern kitchens can not survive with a microwave oven, but originally it was suppose to be a deadly weapon of the mass destruction. That fancy kitchen gadget was invented by an inventor who could not afford a university education. As recognition of his groundbreaking discovery, he received a much-deserved honorary ‘Doctorate’ from the University of Massachusetts. However, for the rest of his life that humble man, never flaunted his title and accomplishments.
Brief Biography: Percy Spencer (1894–1970)
Percy Spencer, the self-taught genius, the inventor of the microwave oven, was born on July 19, 1894, in Howland, Maine. Orphaned as a child, he had to leave school at the tender age of 13. He joined a local mill to work as an apprentice. Despite his humble beginnings, Spencer displayed an innate curiosity and knack for problem-solving. In the absence of any formal education, he started teaching himself engineering and physics.
During World War II, Spencer worked at the MIT Radiation Laboratory, a research and development wing of the US Army. His expertise in radar technology and magnetron development was pivotal for the U.S. Army’s radar systems. This Magnetron was supposed to be the second most lethal weapon after Atom Bomb. While working on the Magnetron, he noticed that radiation from the device melted a candy bar in his pocket. This accidental discovery led him to experiment further. Putting different food items inside it and finding the result. His numerous experiments finally led to the invention of the microwave oven.
Though initially developed as a wartime technology, the microwave oven evolved into a revolutionary kitchen appliance. Spencer’s groundbreaking work earned him accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. Known for his humility, he remained grounded and unassuming about his accomplishments until the last day of his life. That great man achieved so much despite no formal education. He thrived throughout his life despite his colleagues’ disrespect and mistreatment. He embodied the spirit of innovation through perseverance and curiosity.
How the Microwave Oven Changed the World
Percy Spencer’s invention of the microwave oven revolutionized cooking and modern living. Initially, it was a bulky and expensive home appliance. It failed miserably to attract consumers cause of its intimidating look. However, with constant kitchen-friendly modifications slowly it proved to be a household essential over time. It transformed to an extent how modern people would prepare and consume food.
The microwave oven drastically reduced cooking times, enabling busy families and professionals to enjoy hot meals with minimal effort. Modern lifestyle would have been impossible without indispensable kitchen gadgets such as microwave ovens. It facilitated the rise of convenience foods, including ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
Beyond home kitchens, microwave technology influenced various sectors. It reshaped the entire Western fast-food industry. In restaurants and food service, it expedited meal preparation, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The microwave’s efficiency also contributed to energy savings, as it consumed less power compared to traditional cooking methods.
Not only that. Apart from residential and commercial kitchens, even the healthcare industry also adopted microwave ovens. This sector is known for experimentation and resourcefulness. The healthcare industry uses it for sterilizing medical equipment. Meanwhile, scientific laboratories also found innovative uses for the technology in many factions.
Do you like this amazing story of an inventor who was a born genius? If you love such fascinating stories of inventions and discoveries, visit our “Stories of Invention” section. Discover how messy, accidental, or even funny moments have shaped the world and human history!