Coming just two decades after the last great global conflict, the Second World War was the most widespread and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries and resulting in more than 50 million military and civilian deaths (with some estimates as high as 85 million dead).
Myths were melting away, and doubt was turning into demand. By 1975, sales of microwave ovens would, for the first time, exceed that of gas ranges. The following year, a reported 17% of all homes in Japan were doing their cooking by microwaves, compared with 4% of the homes in the United States the same year.
Between 1952 and 1955, the first home model was introduced by Tappan at $1295 (Â£951), and by 1967 Raytheon released the first counter-top, domestic oven. The 100-volt microwave oven cost just under $500 (Â£366) and was smaller, safer and more reliable than previous models.