Results: Product Life Cycle Part 3. There is a question in some surveys "I am among the first to try new technology." Microwave ovens have gone through several product development phases. Did you buy a microwave or two along the way?
Published on 11/20/2023
The scientist who developed and patented the first microwave oven noticed that a magnetron was emitting heat-generating microwaves during an experiment with radar in 1945. The candy bar in his pocket melted and the rest is history. Now 80% of households have microwaves. There was some resistance in the use of this technology however that continues to this day
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
The early microwaves were rather crude adaptations of radar technology and this perhaps slowed the initial acceptance of using microwaves in our kitchens. Which of these drawbacks do you remember from the early days?
The first models were huge—about 6 feet in height, weighing more than 750 pounds and costing $5,000 in 1946
12%
333 votes
The first counter top microwave oven was introduced in 1967 by the Amana Corporation. It was called the "Radar Range" (the name turned some people off)
17%
457 votes
Microwave ovens only became affordable for residential use in the late 1970s but they had few features that would overcome the initial resistance to using them.
26%
696 votes
When initially launched, microwave ovens were marketed as a way of reheating leftovers and not much more than that.
34%
931 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
18 votes
Not Applicable
41%
1120 votes
- 1988 was my first, just for reheating.
- idk
- 1979
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.33% | 8 | |
| no, we bought a LItten in 83, it had a plate you could put in and heat up and put hamburger patty on, microwave it and turn it over and micro it and it would sizzle and all. | 0.04% | 1 |
| bought very late, only used at work | 0.04% | 1 |
| I can't remember, as l wasn't born until 1957! | 0.04% | 1 |
| People with pacemakers were afraid of them. | 0.04% | 1 |
| I will never forget the first time I made cupcakes using a microwave over. I was mesmerized by how I could actually see them rising. | 0.04% | 1 |
| people believed they emitted too much radiation | 0.04% | 1 |
| Convenient heating to warm foods from take out services; microwave ovens were not trusted, especially with the high costs | 0.04% | 1 |
| That they emitted radiation while heating the food or drink, so you weren't to stand right in front of it. | 0.04% | 1 |
| They were very expensive to repair in those days | 0.04% | 1 |
| Food baked in them did not brown - example cake * did not rise. | 0.04% | 1 |
2.
2.
We bought our first microwave oven in 1980 (a Quasar - are they still around?) and had to convince our self that it was worth the $400 we paid for it. Here are some of the quirks and features of that early model. Which do you remember from or about that time?
It didn't have a turntable so cooking had frequent pauses to re-position whatever was being cooked
29%
776 votes
The power was only 800 watts (much less efficient than today's 800 watt machines) and took almost 3 minutes to reheat a cup of coffee.
19%
512 votes
Special dishes had to be used that were microwave proof otherwise they would scorch, melt, and frequently be too hot to handle. We had a special dish to crisp bacon, to poach eggs, heat TV dinners and others I now forget.
31%
838 votes
There were many things that could be cooked on these early microwaves but it required going to classes to learn about them.
7%
193 votes
Pieces of aluminum foil had to be used to protect some parts of food from overheating.
5%
136 votes
Any metal in the oven cavity would make its presence known in spectacular fashion with sparks, electrical flashes and the smell of burning electronics.
30%
820 votes
Programming the microwave when using it was initially "a man's job" because women had more sense than to attempt it - meanwhile they had supper ready using more traditional methods.
4%
121 votes
For a short period after the classes, we made an effort to use our microwave but reheating coffee, crisping bacon, heating selected leftovers and making poached eggs soon lost their entertainment value.
6%
164 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
10 votes
Not Applicable
40%
1087 votes
- Yes - my wife started making scrambled eggs using it.
- no
- no
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.20% | 7 | |
| My boyfriend's family (dated him '81-'84) had a microwave, they were the only family that I knew to have one. We always made Weaver chicken croquettes in it, plus frozen Pillsbury pizzas and microwave popcorn, which may also have been frozen then | 0.03% | 1 |
| Other food services were becoming dominant | 0.03% | 1 |
| I don’t remember. | 0.03% | 1 |
3.
3.
By 1986, roughly 25% of households in the U.S. owned a microwave oven, up from only about 1% in 1971. It was around 1986 that we got our 2nd microwave. This one had a turntable and programmable buttons and these made a big difference (to me anyway). Did the following 1980s features make you first accept the microwave as an equal partner among you kitchen appliances?
The turntable helped heat more evenly which allowed cooking to be programmed which reduced most of the cooking stop/start requirements.
42%
1128 votes
The microwave "magnatron" was better shielded and less easily damaged by anything metal in the oven cavity. It would still spark but only scorch the oven walls.
12%
321 votes
The microwave could work at difference power levels and the newer magnatrons were more powerful. Now the microwave could actually cook a meal in a fraction of the time traditional methods would take.
28%
750 votes
Everyday dishes were now mostly microwave proof so they could go from dishwasher to cupboard to microwave to table to dishwasher seamlessly. This made a big difference for modern 2 income families.
30%
801 votes
The microwave was now accepted as being safe enough that children were allowed to touch it.
21%
559 votes
Microwave popcorn hit the market and this, combined with the adoption of video movies, changed movie watching for many families.
29%
789 votes
Microwave popcorn hit the market but regular popcorn showed how easy it was to melt the magnatron and wreck your microwave if dads (usually) tried to avoid buying the special popcorn. There was no special popcorn function in those days.
10%
261 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
10 votes
Not Applicable
34%
919 votes
- Drying wet socks.
- na
- ???
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.15% | 7 | |
| the 'plate' often had to be put back, it fell off. | 0.02% | 1 |
| Large meats could be cooked, even casseroles and cooking time reduced | 0.02% | 1 |
| Microwaves will come alive and take over the Earth with their lasers. | 0.02% | 1 |
4.
4.
Time has passed and the microwave oven has continued its development. The one I bought recently has become our main method of cooking and replaced appliances we had used for years. "Galanz 1.2 Cu Ft 4-in-1 Multi-functional Air Fryer, Convection Oven, Microwave and Toaster Oven, Sensor Cooker, Inverter, TotalFry 360™ Technology" is how it is described. Which of these features would make you think of replacing some current appliances?
11 Variable Power Levels with Sensor Cook & Sensor Reheat, using Inverter Technology (simply select the program for whatever you want to cook and press start.) Now (finally) it is easier to use than the old way.
16%
428 votes
Convection oven can be used to air fry, bake, broil or toast. Replaces my skillet and air fryer.
28%
766 votes
3 Heating Elements-Top, Bottom and Back replaces my regular oven and my toaster oven
16%
443 votes
It can do popcorn, a bagel, broil, bake, pizza, and of course warm leftovers.
24%
646 votes
I bought it for $380 which is less than I paid in 1980. It uses less power than the appliances it replaces and everything is non-stick so clean up is a breeze.
15%
392 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
11 votes
Not Applicable
46%
1246 votes
- Mine has.
- they work well as dehydrators also
- No, and we have a gas range
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.37% | 10 | |
| After all that cooking popping corn ,can a dish washer be fitted into also? | 0.04% | 1 |
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