In 1945, a self-taught radar tube specialist, Percy Spencer, began working on a new vacuum tube called a magnetron when he accidentally discovered microwave cooking. While standing near the machine, Spencer noticed a chocolate bar in his pocket had begun to melt. Others had noticed this phenomenon before, but Spencer realized the potential. He sent for a package of popcorn. When he held it up to the machine, the kernels popped in minutes. He filed for a patent, and the Raytheon Corporation, the company where Spencer worked, created the first microwave in 1947. It was almost six feet tall, weighed around 750lbs and cost $5,000 (which is estimated at over $50,000 in today’s dollars).
Even though microwaves are still popping popcorn, these quick-cooking ovens have come a long way. They are smaller and more affordable, for starters. And they have become standard equipment in many homes and offices. Additionally, microwave ovens are finding new homes around the world every year. According to a report on the global microwave packaging market from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA), Asia-Pacific has emerged as a prime market for microwave packaging thanks to growing disposable incomes and need for convenience foods.