I can't recall the original intent, but it was running in a lab when one of the workers walked past and it melted the candy bar in his pocket. And that's how it took a side path to your kitchen!
Percy Spencer
America
An employee of Raytheon, Dr. Percy Spencer, invented the microwave. The company improved on the design and eventually sold the first microwave.
The simple answer is yes. The more detailed answer is no. Any serving plate (your 1972 English china for example) made before the invention of the microwave oven is not microwave safe. They simple did not have the technology or foresite to incorporate microwave safe material in the plates. So please DO NOT put any product made before 1979 (the first year that commercial microwave ovens were sold) into the microwave. They will, at best, crack and, at worst, explode.
soups? microwave soups are almost the same as stove
No, microwave popcorn is specifically designed to be cooked in a microwave and cannot be made on a stove.
The first microwave oven was built in 1945, as a proof of concept, by Percy Spencer.
The first commercial microwave was invented by Dr. Percy Spencer in 1946.
No, Le Creuset cookware is not safe to use in the microwave as it is made of materials that are not microwave-safe.
No, do not put anything made of metal, or containing metal parts, into a microwave oven. To warm your coffee, pour it into your (ceramic or glass) cup first, and then warm that.
Yes, you can safely microwave a bottle as long as it is made of microwave-safe material and you follow the manufacturer's instructions for heating.
No, it is not safe to microwave metal spoons as they can cause sparks and damage the microwave. It is best to use microwave-safe utensils made of materials like glass or ceramic.