Research Round 3!

RESEARCH ROUND 3

         My main objective and question with my research is, has the invention of the microwave oven helped or hurt us more.  There are many pro’s and con’s for the microwave oven, here are some of them.   So we now know that a microwave is a simple but needed item for most of the people in America.  The microwave oven has literally changed lives.   Just because it is a simple invention does that mean you don’t have to research before we make our purchase?  Have you ever thought of what to look for when purchasing a microwave oven, I haven’t.  You have to take measurements and know how big of a space you have in your kitchen, how many people you will be cooking for, which also determines the size you will need.  Also if your dishes and Tupperware will properly fit in the microwave oven, if it has the features of the meals you cook, for example popcorn, defrost.  I found this to be a great source because it really demonstrates how a small piece of technology causes such a big deal, for example the evolution of the kitchen.  Once microwave ovens were invented kitchens were often built to have a space for the microwave oven, or often microwave ovens were installed above stoves.  Many changes were made all for this one creation, and without this example this outlook would probably never cross many peoples minds.  I found the information about the considerations when buying a microwave here, http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/appliances/microwave-reviews/microwave-faqs-0306

http://www.enotes.com/topic/Microwave-related_injury   This source list a bunch of cons for the Microwave oven, mostly dangers.  I think this is important because my summary for my research question will be about how has the microwave oven changed the world, and is it for the better or for the worst.  

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505004001635  This source is also very important, it is an article about how four people were burnt by scolding hot fluids the removed from a microwave while they were experiencing a seizure.  I think this is relevant because it shows more danger this invention have created.

http://www.treehugger.com/kitchen-design/6-energy-efficient-convection-microwave-ovens-for-small-kitchens.html  This source shows a different side of the microwave oven.  The microwave oven has pros to.  This source is an article about a man who is going green.  Instead of using a stove with uses much more electricity or gas, he uses a microwave in his house to help save the world.

         A super interesting fact I researched and found out about microwave ovens is that they were pretty much invented by accident.  Dr. Percy Spencer, who I mentioned in my very first source, was the inventor of the microwave in year 1946.  Dr. Percy Spencer was actually trying to build radar equipment when he noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket was melting.  He was building magnetrons when he realized that microwaves can be directed at food to heat it up really fast. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/microwave-radiation-ovens-460709#ixzz1sFBK0jdy  This is an good source to have because the history of how something came to be is important to know.  No one had even thought of the idea of heating things faster than the stove or fire place.  So when Dr. Percy Spencer realized there was a faster way he tested it out and made it happen.