Oops! They're Microwaves!

October 1, 2019
Grades 4-7 One of the most ubiquitous kitchen appliances came about by chance, as readers will discover in this entry in the Accidental Scientific Discoveries That Changed the World series (6 titles). After first clarifying the difference between a microwave (a type of electromagnetic radiation) and a microwave oven (that thing in your kitchen that cooks food in seconds using electromagnetic radiation), the book explains how Percy Spencer, a WWII engineer, accidentally discovered microwaves could be used to heat food when a magnetron melted a peanut cluster bar in his pocket. The following pages detail the development of the ovens, their safety components, and how they change food. A large trim size and a fun retro design help make this a particularly accessible volume. Bold-faced vocabulary words, additional factoid asides, and links to further information round out this peek into the past.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)