Fits Tappan
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 Burner Range Cooktop Knob 316220002 For Frigidaire Tappan fits PS439785 $12.75 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 3m Buy It Now for only: $12.75 |
 Frigidaire Washer Transmission Pulley 5303161428 Fits Philco Tappan Gibson other $5.00 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 52m |
 Fridge Water Valve 241734301 240531101 fits Tappan $34.99 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 55m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor 241537301 fits Tappan $26.99 Time Remaining: 10d 6h Buy It Now for only: $26.99 |
 Dryer Idler Pulley 5303212849 fits Tappan $5.99 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Gas Oven Ignitor Igniter 316489402 Glowbar fits Tappan $41.29 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $41.29 |
 Burner Range Cooktop Knob 316240802 For Frigidaire Tappan fits PS440027 $12.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 4m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 Stove Oven Range Broil Element 5303051140 fits Tappan $19.03 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 43m Buy It Now for only: $19.03 |
 Oven Range Surface Burner Element 316010206 fits Tappan $92.17 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $92.17 |
 Dryer Timer Knob 134011703 fits Tappan $7.37 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 29m Buy It Now for only: $7.37 |
 Washer Dryer Knob 134035500 fits Tappan $9.49 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 32m Buy It Now for only: $9.49 |
 Washer Dryer Knob 134034903 fits Tappan $7.37 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 30m Buy It Now for only: $7.37 |
 Dryer Door Latch Catch 279570 fits Tappan $7.37 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 35m Buy It Now for only: $7.37 |
 Stove Oven Range Control Board 316080102 fits Tappan $179.99 Time Remaining: 10d 6h Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 Washer Dryer Knob 134034903 fits Tappan $7.37 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 32m Buy It Now for only: $7.37 |
 Dryer Cycling Thermostat High Limit 3204267 fits Tappan $27.51 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 32m Buy It Now for only: $27.51 |
 Refrigerator Defrost Heater 218169802 fits Tappan $47.65 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 49m Buy It Now for only: $47.65 |
 Gas Range Oven Ignitor 5303935066 Glowbar fits Tappan $41.29 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 42m Buy It Now for only: $41.29 |
 Refrigerator Relay Overload 218721119 fits Tappan $29.63 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 30m Buy It Now for only: $29.63 |
 Fridge Relay Overload Controller 216649301 fits Tappan $31.75 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 31m Buy It Now for only: $31.75 |
 Refrigerator Relay Overload 216649303 fits Tappan $31.75 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 30m Buy It Now for only: $31.75 |
 Stove Range Oven Safety Valve 5303208499 fits Tappan $99.99 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 56m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Stove Oven Range Control Board 316080102 fits Tappan $179.99 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 Dryer Lint Screen Filter Trap 131390300 fits Tappan $15.85 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 2m Buy It Now for only: $15.85 |
 Bake Element 5303310512 318255002 fits Tappan $31.75 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $31.75 |
 Washer Washing Machine Pump 134051100 fits Tappan $79.99 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 1m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 Refrigerator Relay Overload 218721103 fits Tappan $35.99 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 32m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 Dryer Start Switch 134398300 fits Tappan $18.27 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 29m Buy It Now for only: $18.27 |
 Dryer Lint Screen Filter Trap 131359600 fits Tappan $20.09 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 28m Buy It Now for only: $20.09 |
 Refrigerator Defrost Heater 5303918208 fits Tappan $23.27 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 49m Buy It Now for only: $23.27 |
 Gas Dryer Flame Sensor 5303281135 fits Tappan $21.15 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 29m Buy It Now for only: $21.15 |
 Dishwasher Door Latch 154434101 White fits Tappan $31.75 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 26m Buy It Now for only: $31.75 |
 Washer Washing Machine Pump 131208500 fits Tappan $31.75 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 42m Buy It Now for only: $31.75 |
 Fridge Defrost Timer 215846602 5300187484 fits Tappan $21.15 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 28m Buy It Now for only: $21.15 |
 Dryer Safety Thermostat 5308015399 602993 fits Tappan $52.95 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 33m Buy It Now for only: $52.95 |
 Dishwasher Pump and Motor 154473001 fits Tappan $168.45 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $168.45 |
 Range Oven Ignitor Igniter 316119301 Glowbar fit Tappan $41.29 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 53m Buy It Now for only: $41.29 |
Fits Tappan
Microwave Ovens And Their Fascinating History
Microwave ovens and their fascinating history are yet another example of how the quest for knowledge and understanding in one area many times leads us to greater understanding in a completely new area with completely new applications. A sterling example of this axiom is the microwave oven, which was born of defense efforts that took place during World War II.
Back then, radar was a fairly new innovation and had been pioneered by the British. Scientists in both the United States and Great Britain were working on ways to improve the efficiency and sensitivity of the radar beam. They eventually came to develop a piece of equipment that produced electromagnetic radiation and was called a magnetron. It greatly improved radar's effectiveness and efficiency.
The next step in the development of the magnetron and also the electromagnetic radiation in the form of microwaves that result from its use took place quite by accident a few years later, sometime around 1945 or so. The scientists happen to be testing a new development in the magnetron and had a candy bar in his shirt pocket. He noticed that it melted when close to the magnetron itself.
This scientist, who was named Percy Spencer, decided to experiment with other foods. He first placed a number of corn kernels in front of the magnetron beam and, of course, popcorn resulted. The next step in the great food experiment was with an egg. Spencer and a colleague placed the egg and focused the beam of the magnetron on it. Not surprisingly, the egg heated up and burst directly in the face of Spencer's colleague, who was standing very close to it.
Seeing this, other company engineers started experimenting with harnessing the magnetron into a shape and form that could cook food. In 1947 the first microwave oven in the world was born. Company engineers and marketing people named it the 'Radarange, ' which is a name still popular today. This 6 foot, 750 pound behemoth cost $5000 and was very energy inefficient. It also required water cooling.
By 1954, a greatly reduced-in-size unit was finally made ready for commercial applications and was sold by the Tappan Company, which had licensed the technology from the original company that developed the magnetron. It also cost upwards of $3000, though a more compact version that ran on 220 volts was produced in 1955. The asking price was $1300, which meant that the oven was doomed to sell poorly.
A great leap forward occurred in 1967, when a model was finally developed that is still very similar to the ovens we use today. It fit comfortably on a countertop and used very little energy. It was also light in weight and sold for about $500. The 'Radarange' name was given to this particular model by Amana, which still owns the name today. Within 10 years, prices had dropped greatly and microwaves seemed to be everywhere.
Nowadays, there is almost no home that doesn't have a microwave of some size or type somewhere in evidence. Also, just about every person knows what a microwave oven is, though they may not have a clue about how its development can be traced directly back to the need to improve radar in World War II. They also may not realize that the discovery of the microwave was basically an accident.
About the Author
Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is duvet covers, leather armchair and leather suites
This entry was posted on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm and is filed under Indoor Major Appliances. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.