The most important peanut bar in history

​Growing up in Maine, Raytheon engineer Percy Spencer loved nature. According to his grandson, Percy loved “his little friends the squirrels and the chipmunks… so he would always carry a peanut cluster bar in his pocket to break up and feed them during lunch.”

In 1946, Percy ran some tests to improve a device that creates vibrating electromagnetic waves. Then, while taking a break for lunch, he discovered something shocking.

The peanut cluster bar melted into “a gooey, sticky mess.” The “microwaves” melted the bar. Percy then tried cooking eggs, then popcorn near the device.

The microwave was born! The first commercial microwave hit the market weighing close to 750 pounds and costing an astronomical $2,000. They called it the “Radarange.” 

Over 80 years later, they are everywhere. Can you imagine what life might be like without a microwave? 

How likely are you to share this story with someone? What if, for example, I skipped the story and shared that Raytheon engineer Percy Spencer created the microwave in 1946. How likely would you share that fact?

How might you wrap your ideas in stories that spread?

Thanks for caring!

With gratitude,

Anwell