The Microwave ovenThe Microwave ovenPercy Spencer Percy Spencer

19-jul-1894 to 8-sep-197019-jul-1894 to 8-sep-1970

By Brigit NelsonBy Brigit NelsonRoom 3Room 3

Who he was/where he came Who he was/where he came fromfrom

Percy Spencer , an  American self-taught engineer Percy Spencer , an  American self-taught engineer from Howland,Manie, worked at the time with Raytheon. He from Howland,Manie, worked at the time with Raytheon. He was working on an active radar set when he noticed that was working on an active radar set when he noticed that a chocolate bar he had in his pocket started to melt - the a chocolate bar he had in his pocket started to melt - the radar had melted his chocolate bar with microwaves. The radar had melted his chocolate bar with microwaves. The first food to be deliberately cooked with Spencer's first food to be deliberately cooked with Spencer's microwave was popcornmicrowave was popcorn

Percy Spencer invented the first microwave oven after World Percy Spencer invented the first microwave oven after World war Inform radar  technology developed during the war. war Inform radar  technology developed during the war. Named the "Rearrange", it was first sold in 1947 but these Named the "Rearrange", it was first sold in 1947 but these units were still too large and expensive for general home units were still too large and expensive for general home use. The countertop microwave oven was first introduced in use. The countertop microwave oven was first introduced in 1967. 1967.

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What was happening in 1947What was happening in 1947 In 1947 Japan was recovering from WWII, they had lost 1.74 million In 1947 Japan was recovering from WWII, they had lost 1.74 million

soldiers and 1 million civilians. 66 cities including Hiroshima and soldiers and 1 million civilians. 66 cities including Hiroshima and Nagasaki had been bombed and left 30% of the population homeless. In Nagasaki had been bombed and left 30% of the population homeless. In Tokyo, the largest city 65% of all homes were destroyed, 5 million of Tokyo, the largest city 65% of all homes were destroyed, 5 million of Tokyo's 7 million people had left the city.  Tokyo's 7 million people had left the city.  

The streets of every major city quickly became full of ex-soldiers, war The streets of every major city quickly became full of ex-soldiers, war widows, orphans, the homeless and unemployed, most of them starving. widows, orphans, the homeless and unemployed, most of them starving. Infectious diseases, common during the war, now flourished. Infectious diseases, common during the war, now flourished. Tuberculosis killed more than all the other diseases combined, in 1947 Tuberculosis killed more than all the other diseases combined, in 1947 146,241 people were reported to have died of TB. 146,241 people were reported to have died of TB.

Roswell UFO IncidentRoswell UFO Incident   The Roswell UFO incident took place in the U.S. when a flying The Roswell UFO incident took place in the U.S. when a flying

object crashed on a farm near Roswell, New Mexico, on July 7. object crashed on a farm near Roswell, New Mexico, on July 7. Although the crash is reported to be a military surveillance balloon Although the crash is reported to be a military surveillance balloon by the U.S. government, the most famous explanation of what by the U.S. government, the most famous explanation of what occurred is that the object was a spaceship containing alien life occurred is that the object was a spaceship containing alien life forms. Since the late 1970s, the Roswell incident has been the forms. Since the late 1970s, the Roswell incident has been the subject of conspiracy theories. The United States Army says that subject of conspiracy theories. The United States Army says that what was found near Roswell was debris from the crash of a what was found near Roswell was debris from the crash of a surveillance balloon belonging to a top secret program. People surveillance balloon belonging to a top secret program. People who believe in UFOs maintain that an alien craft was found, its who believe in UFOs maintain that an alien craft was found, its occupants were captured, and that the military engaged in a occupants were captured, and that the military engaged in a massive cover-up. The Roswell incident has turned into a legend, massive cover-up. The Roswell incident has turned into a legend, making the name "Roswell" synonymous with UFOs. making the name "Roswell" synonymous with UFOs.

Statute of Westminster Statute of Westminster The The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947 removed all  removed all

British restrictions on the New Zealand law-making process except British restrictions on the New Zealand law-making process except for amendments to the Constitution. By passing the Act on 25 for amendments to the Constitution. By passing the Act on 25 November, New Zealand adopted the Statute of westminster1931, November, New Zealand adopted the Statute of westminster1931, an Act of the British Parliament which granted full sovereign status an Act of the British Parliament which granted full sovereign status and Commonwealth membership to all countries that signed. and Commonwealth membership to all countries that signed.

This is considered the time when New Zealand became fully This is considered the time when New Zealand became fully independent as a nation.independent as a nation.

What else he inventedWhat else he invented In 1941, as the U.S. was preparing to enter WW II, he focused In 1941, as the U.S. was preparing to enter WW II, he focused

his efforts on the magnetron, the microwave tube in which his efforts on the magnetron, the microwave tube in which electrons generated from a heated cathode produce radiation electrons generated from a heated cathode produce radiation that could be used in radar. Working night and day, he that could be used in radar. Working night and day, he increased the efficiency of the magnetron andincreased the efficiency of the magnetron and  boosted output boosted output from one magnetron a week to an astonishing 2,600 a day. from one magnetron a week to an astonishing 2,600 a day. Radar sets Spencer designed were installed in U.S. bombers, Radar sets Spencer designed were installed in U.S. bombers, where they were powerful enough to spot periscopes on where they were powerful enough to spot periscopes on German submarines. For this accomplishment, he won the German submarines. For this accomplishment, he won the Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honour the Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honour the Navy bestows on civilians. Person Spensor held 120 patents Navy bestows on civilians. Person Spensor held 120 patents within his lifetime.within his lifetime.

How the invention changed livesHow the invention changed lives Microwave technology specifically in home use has changed the Microwave technology specifically in home use has changed the

way that people prepare meals. way that people prepare meals. The amount of time saved allows people to have more time for The amount of time saved allows people to have more time for

recreation.recreation. My mum says that it also reduces the amount of dishes she has to My mum says that it also reduces the amount of dishes she has to

do.do. Saves room in your kitchen allowing for more compact living like Saves room in your kitchen allowing for more compact living like

apartments.apartments. Using microwave ovens uses less electricity than conventional Using microwave ovens uses less electricity than conventional

ovens. ovens.