Remembering the Guy Who Invented the Microwave

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the death of Percy LeBaron Spencer. And if you're saying to yourself, "wow, he looks like a guy who'd invent something like the microwave oven," you'd be right! 

In 1945, Spencer was working for American Appliance Company (now Raytheon). He invented the microwave oven after noticing that the chocolate bar in his pocket melted while he was standing near a magnetron. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. During a local radio station appearance, he microwaved pork rinds for the on-air staff. He is still waiting to be asked back.

MICROWAVE MONDAY: English Reubens (1990)

MICROWAVE MONDAY: As methods for warming up sandwiches go, the microwave is right up there with setting it on the hood of a warm car. This recipe from 'More Microwave Magic' (Modern Publishing, 1990, edited by Wendy Lazor) turns a plain old Reuben into a trip to the United Kingdom by swapping in (checks notes) English Muffins. Once can only imagine the soggy mess that results from nuking untoasted English Muffin halves, dressing and kraut. Click picture for full-size image.

#reubensandwich #reuben #microwavemonday #microwaveweek #sandwiches #sandwichrecipes #vintage #vintagerecipes #vintagecookbooks #kitsch

Microwave Monday - Ham & Pineapple Kabobs (1987)

MICROWAVE MONDAY – My friends, the microwave is not limited to reheating last night’s leftovers! Just ask the people behind ‘The Fabulous Microwave Cookbook’ (1987, Greentree Marketing). This ambitious, 48-page dining dynamo is designed for you to “kick off your shoes and have some fun for a change!” Editor Kelly McCoy pulls together not one, not two, but eight (!) unique menus for everything from a romantic French date night (“ship the kids off to Grandma’s”) and a Maine Micro Fest (complete with microwaved Lobsta Tails) to a Chic Last-Minute Cocktail Party featuring (checks notes) Nachos and Pigs-in-a-Blanket. Tres chic, indeed! I’ve selected a couple dishes from the Microwave Luau so you can “transport family and friends to the South Seas for the evening.” So, break out those Don Ho records, put on your best moo-moo, and fire up that microwave! Click picture for full-size image.

#MicrowaveMonday #vintagerecipes #vintagecookbooks #hawaiianfood #hawaiiancuisine