One of the most-used appliances in American kitchens owes its existence, at least in part, to a melted candy bar.

In 1945, engineer Percy Spencer was working for Raytheon with magnetrons, devices that generate microwaves and were important to radar technology during World War II. While Spencer was near an active magnetron, he reportedly noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted.

Rather than simply being annoyed about the mess, Spencer became curious.

He began experimenting with food. Popcorn kernels placed near the equipment popped. In another often-told experiment, an egg heated so rapidly that it exploded.

Spencer realized the microwave energy produced by the magnetron could heat food quickly. Raytheon filed a patent for microwave cooking technology later that year, with Spencer named as the inventor.

But the first microwave oven looked nothing like the compact appliance sitting above many kitchen ranges today.

Raytheon’s early commercial Radarange, introduced in the late 1940s, was enormous. Early models stood roughly 6 feet tall, weighed hundreds of pounds and cost thousands of dollars. They were intended primarily for commercial kitchens rather than ordinary homes.

It took years of engineering improvements before microwave ovens became practical for household use. By the 1970s, smaller countertop models were becoming increasingly common, eventually transforming the way Americans reheated leftovers, thawed frozen food and prepared quick meals.

And it all began because an engineer paid attention when something unexpected happened in his pocket.

So the next time you stand impatiently watching the microwave count down the final three seconds, remember Percy Spencer.

Sometimes a melted candy bar isn’t a ruined snack.

Sometimes it’s an invention waiting to happen.

Bizarre Byte: Percy Spencer reportedly never finished grammar school, yet became a highly accomplished self-taught engineer and eventually held more than 100 patents.

Bizarre Bytes gives us those unusual facts that you only need to know for Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy, or to stump your in-laws.

Enjoyed this article? Read more Bizarre Bytes.

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