The discovery of microwave oven technology was a by-product of radar technology research being carried out by self taught electronics engineer, Percy Spencer. Spencer was investigating the uses of the magnetron, a unit which could generate microwaves using a stream of electrons controlled by an external magnetic field. Magnetrons were used in aircraft detection technology which helped the Allies win World War II.

After World War II companies such as Raytheon, where Spencer worked, began looking for alternative uses for their magnetrons. Famously, Spencer noticed the link between the magnetron and the heating of food while apparently testing the magnetron and finding that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. Making the connection, Spencer and a colleague experimented further, firstly placing an egg near the magnetron, then popcorn (though some say the popcorn preceded the egg). The egg, when exposed to low level microwave energy rapidly heated and exploded over the scientists. The popcorn also cooked in a very short space of time.
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