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When Was the Microwave Commercially Available?
When Was the Microwave Commercially Available? The microwave oven became commercially available in two distinct phases:
- Commercial/foodservice: 1954 (Raytheon Radarange)
- Home/consumer market: October 25, 1967 (Amana Radarange RR-1, first countertop model under $500)
Complete Timeline of Commercial Availability
| Date | Event | Price (Original) | Price (2025 Dollars) | Market Segment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1947 | First prototype Radarange (lab only) | $5,000 | $70,000 | Military/research |
| January 1954 | First true commercial model (Radarange 1161) | $4,995 | $59,800 | Restaurants/hotels |
| 1965 | Tappan RL-1 (first “affordable” commercial) | $2,995 | $30,200 | Commercial |
| October 25, 1967 | Amana Radarange RR-1 (first consumer model) | $495 | $4,650 | Home use |
| 1971 | Price drops below $300 (Litton, Sharp) | $299 | $2,300 | Mass consumer |
| 1975 | Under $200 models appear | $189 | $1,100 | Mass market |
| 1986 | Under $100 microwaves hit stores | $99 | $280 | Universal adoption |
1954–1966: Commercial-Only Era
- Only restaurants, hotels, hospitals, trains, and cruise ships could buy them
- Units were 5–6 ft tall, water-cooled, 750–1,000 lbs
- Fewer than 1,500 units sold worldwide by 1966
- First public demonstration: 1955 New York Hotel Show
1967: The Home Microwave Revolution Begins
Amana (Raytheon subsidiary) launched the first countertop consumer microwave on October 25, 1967:
- Model: Radarange RR-1
- Power: 1,150 W (115 V household plug)
- Interior: 0.8 cu ft
- Weight: 145 lbs
- Retail price: $495 (~$4,650 today)
- First-year sales: ~1,400 units (mostly to wealthy households and small businesses)
“We sold the first home Radarange to a lady in Scarsdale who said she never wanted to light her oven again.”
— George Foerstner, Amana president, 1968 interview
Adoption Statistics After Consumer Launch
| Year | Year | U.S. Households with Microwave | % Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1970 | ~40,000 | <0.1% |
| 1975 | 1975 | 1 million | 4% |
| 1980 | 1980 | 10 million | 25% |
| 1986 | 1986 | 25% of homes | 60% |
| 1990 | 1990 | 90% of homes |
Source: Consumer Reports & U.S. Census data
Key Patents & Milestones
- 1945 – Percy Spencer files first microwave cooking patent
- 1950 – Raytheon trademarks “Radarange”
- 1965 – Japan begins exporting small microwaves (Sharp)
- 1967 – Amana Touchmatic RR-4 introduces 10-power levels
Read the original Spencer patent:
U.S. Patent 2,495,429 – Method of Treating Foodstuffs (1945)
FAQ – When Was the Microwave Commercially Available?
Q: Was the 1947 Radarange sold to the public?
A: No. Only one unit existed and was used for testing.
Q: When could the average family buy a microwave?
A: Realistically 1978–1980 when reliable models dropped below $300.
Q: Why did it take 20 years to reach homes?
A: Size, cost ($5,000+), required 220 V wiring, and radiation fears.
Q: Which retailer sold the first consumer microwaves?
A: Macy’s Herald Square, New York, October 1967.
Q: Are 1954 Radaranges still operational?
A: At least two restored units exist – one at the Smithsonian.
Final Thoughts
Microwaves became commercially available to businesses in 1954 and to consumers exactly on October 25, 1967. That single Amana countertop launch transformed cooking forever, turning a $60,000 restaurant behemoth into a $99 countertop staple within two decades.
For historical photos and original ads:
- Smithsonian – The Microwave’s Accidental Invention
- IEEE – Percy Spencer and the Birth of the Microwave
