1957 Tappan microwave.
- Thread starter mopar65
- Start date
kb0nes
Well-known member
Anthony, Awesome to see that old gem cooking again! What does the power supply look like when its running, is the rectifier glow pretty steady or does it fluctuate?
If you ever have the inclination, it would sure be neat to try to measure the RF output power. I did a thread a while back that detailed a simple method that can quantify the output power. Wonder how it compares with modern ovens?
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?54551
Thumbs up on getting it running in any case!
If you ever have the inclination, it would sure be neat to try to measure the RF output power. I did a thread a while back that detailed a simple method that can quantify the output power. Wonder how it compares with modern ovens?
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?54551
Thumbs up on getting it running in any case!
57 Tappan Electronic Oven
Very cool Anthony, hopefully this will inspire me to get my 1962 Westinghouse EO up and running, mine is the next generation EO built by Tappan that is water cooled.
Yes it would be great if we could determine the power output of these early MWOs, I also want to test some of my GE 915 KH MWOs.
Great job Anthony, maybe you guys could come visit and help get ours running.
Very cool Anthony, hopefully this will inspire me to get my 1962 Westinghouse EO up and running, mine is the next generation EO built by Tappan that is water cooled.
Yes it would be great if we could determine the power output of these early MWOs, I also want to test some of my GE 915 KH MWOs.
Great job Anthony, maybe you guys could come visit and help get ours running.
Out put
I will have to try out your method to find out the power output. If what I was reading is right they claimed the 55 to 58's had 900W. John I would love to see your microwaves and most defiantly the 62 Westinghouse! How grate a water cooled magnetron I wonder if that would work better seeing as the first ones made were the same then they went to air cooled then back to water and back air cooled with the radar range. Makes one think they went to air cooled to make them cheeper. I also reeding some place that the water cooled units had to run the water pump for 10 to 20 min to cool down the magnetron. Have you ever heard that before?
I would love to come down and see your museum!
I will have to try out your method to find out the power output. If what I was reading is right they claimed the 55 to 58's had 900W. John I would love to see your microwaves and most defiantly the 62 Westinghouse! How grate a water cooled magnetron I wonder if that would work better seeing as the first ones made were the same then they went to air cooled then back to water and back air cooled with the radar range. Makes one think they went to air cooled to make them cheeper. I also reeding some place that the water cooled units had to run the water pump for 10 to 20 min to cool down the magnetron. Have you ever heard that before?
I would love to come down and see your museum!
WOW
I didn't know microwave ovens were around in the 1950s. I only became aware of them in the 1970s.
a couple of questions:
1. why was there a shelf inside? could you cook one thing on the floor of the oven and another on the shelf?
2. The light seems to be flickering - or is that just something to do with the video?
3. 4 knobs across the top - what do they all do?
I didn't know microwave ovens were around in the 1950s. I only became aware of them in the 1970s.
a couple of questions:
1. why was there a shelf inside? could you cook one thing on the floor of the oven and another on the shelf?
2. The light seems to be flickering - or is that just something to do with the video?
3. 4 knobs across the top - what do they all do?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Think....
....That Tappan introduced these ovens to the consumer market in '54. I have seen references to them as early as that. However, most sources on the Internet say 1955, which could mean that Tappan introduced them in late '54 for the 1955 model year.
The basic idea behind microwave ovens was discovered at Raytheon in 1945. Raytheon wasted no time getting microwaves into the hands of the U.S. military, in 1947. There was also a demonstration to the public in Boston, using hot dogs. Microwave ovens began being used in restaurants and food-service applications. For a time, the Stouffer's chain based much of its concept on centrally-produced food shipped frozen and then microwaved in its restaurants. The restaurants are gone, but Stouffer's frozen food is still going strong in grocery stores.
The Tappan microwave didn't sell too well, due to a staggering list price of $1295 in 1954 dollars (equal to more than $11,000 now). Things kind of sat there until 1967, when Amana introduced the countertop Radarange at $495. That was still very expensive (like $3,500 today), but not out of the question for luxury households. The 1967 Radarange (the RR-1) was the "breakthrough" machine that began making people want a microwave oven.
....That Tappan introduced these ovens to the consumer market in '54. I have seen references to them as early as that. However, most sources on the Internet say 1955, which could mean that Tappan introduced them in late '54 for the 1955 model year.
The basic idea behind microwave ovens was discovered at Raytheon in 1945. Raytheon wasted no time getting microwaves into the hands of the U.S. military, in 1947. There was also a demonstration to the public in Boston, using hot dogs. Microwave ovens began being used in restaurants and food-service applications. For a time, the Stouffer's chain based much of its concept on centrally-produced food shipped frozen and then microwaved in its restaurants. The restaurants are gone, but Stouffer's frozen food is still going strong in grocery stores.
The Tappan microwave didn't sell too well, due to a staggering list price of $1295 in 1954 dollars (equal to more than $11,000 now). Things kind of sat there until 1967, when Amana introduced the countertop Radarange at $495. That was still very expensive (like $3,500 today), but not out of the question for luxury households. The 1967 Radarange (the RR-1) was the "breakthrough" machine that began making people want a microwave oven.
Gizmo/Moparguy
Gizmo
1. Yes two things can be cooked at the same time but the shelf is there to adjust the distance to the broiler element to brown foods.
2. The light "flickers" because of the stirrer. It changes the path of the RF waves to heat foods more evenly.
3. The knobs left to right 1st knob turns on the broiler. 2 knob switches it from hi and low. 3 Turns on the unit. 4 Turns on the microwave.
Moparguy.
Me too. I have no idea but I’m starting to think so.
Gizmo
1. Yes two things can be cooked at the same time but the shelf is there to adjust the distance to the broiler element to brown foods.
2. The light "flickers" because of the stirrer. It changes the path of the RF waves to heat foods more evenly.
3. The knobs left to right 1st knob turns on the broiler. 2 knob switches it from hi and low. 3 Turns on the unit. 4 Turns on the microwave.
Moparguy.
Me too. I have no idea but I’m starting to think so.
First Tappan Microwave Ovens
Tappan was the first company to introduce MWOs to US consumers. When I was going through old appliance parts stores in Cleveland Ohio approximately 15 years ago I came across a bunch of newspaper articles and press releases from Tappan telling about their unveiling their new appliance in 1955 in Cleveland.
By 1958 Tappan was also making a MWO for RCA Whirlpool and Westinghouse, these were also built-in models and were virtually identical to the Tappans except for styling details. All these orignal Tappan models were built-in models and required a 208-240 volt 30 amp line to operate.
Hotpoint also sold a MW cooking center in the late 1950s, it looked like a double wall oven with one oven being a MWO and the other a conventional Electric oven. I am not sure when GE first sold a MWO to the public.
The thing that really got MWOs selling was the introduction of counter-top 120 volt plug-in models, when this happened anyone could have one without expensive remodeling, as Sandy mentioned it appears that Amana may have been the first to introduce a counter-top MWO, but Litton and a few Japanese brands were hot on the heels of Amana and had counter-top models within a year of Amanas introduction for sale in the US.
The sales and acceptance of MWOs and Induction cooking took much the same course in this country. Induction cook-tops were first sold by Westinghouse in 1969 but no one bought them because you had make a big commitment and build it in. It was not untill portable units and 30" free-standing ranges came out with this great feature that many were ever sold. I predict that in the next twenty years induction cooking will be more popular than gas range tops and probably also pass regular electric cook-top sales as well.
Tappan was the first company to introduce MWOs to US consumers. When I was going through old appliance parts stores in Cleveland Ohio approximately 15 years ago I came across a bunch of newspaper articles and press releases from Tappan telling about their unveiling their new appliance in 1955 in Cleveland.
By 1958 Tappan was also making a MWO for RCA Whirlpool and Westinghouse, these were also built-in models and were virtually identical to the Tappans except for styling details. All these orignal Tappan models were built-in models and required a 208-240 volt 30 amp line to operate.
Hotpoint also sold a MW cooking center in the late 1950s, it looked like a double wall oven with one oven being a MWO and the other a conventional Electric oven. I am not sure when GE first sold a MWO to the public.
The thing that really got MWOs selling was the introduction of counter-top 120 volt plug-in models, when this happened anyone could have one without expensive remodeling, as Sandy mentioned it appears that Amana may have been the first to introduce a counter-top MWO, but Litton and a few Japanese brands were hot on the heels of Amana and had counter-top models within a year of Amanas introduction for sale in the US.
The sales and acceptance of MWOs and Induction cooking took much the same course in this country. Induction cook-tops were first sold by Westinghouse in 1969 but no one bought them because you had make a big commitment and build it in. It was not untill portable units and 30" free-standing ranges came out with this great feature that many were ever sold. I predict that in the next twenty years induction cooking will be more popular than gas range tops and probably also pass regular electric cook-top sales as well.
Just found this on the net. 34 units!
the RL-1 was the first microwave oven designed for home use. With a retail price of $1,295, only 34 units were manufactured in 1955, the first year of production. The company sold a total of 1,396 units before production ended in 1964.
the RL-1 was the first microwave oven designed for home use. With a retail price of $1,295, only 34 units were manufactured in 1955, the first year of production. The company sold a total of 1,396 units before production ended in 1964.
Early Tappan MWOs
WOW Anthony, I had no idea there were so few made, no wonder it has taken me so long to find one, I am still on the lookout for a browner element for your 57.
Hopefully Cory will get the 58 Westinghouse running that I took out to him in June.
WOW Anthony, I had no idea there were so few made, no wonder it has taken me so long to find one, I am still on the lookout for a browner element for your 57.
Hopefully Cory will get the 58 Westinghouse running that I took out to him in June.
Pretty amazing, watching the pulsating light of the microwave actually running, and the facts that you, John, and Sandy have on these machines. I guess that the ($11000 in todays dollars) that Sandy found that they sold for would explain the extraordinarily low production run! And also explains why they are so scarce today!
Great video / I've got one too.
The Tappan I have is an R4AL1. Purchased about 1961.
Looks almost identical, but is a little more decoration.
No plans to make it work again... I'm aiming to donate it to a museum.
The Tappan I have is an R4AL1. Purchased about 1961.
Looks almost identical, but is a little more decoration.
No plans to make it work again... I'm aiming to donate it to a museum.
kevin313
Well-known member
Anthony - like so many people, I thought the first manufacturer of microwave ovens was Amana, since the technology was invented at Raytheon. I had no idea Tappan was in that game so early...when you look at the Tappan gas ranges of the mid-50's they don't have a very modern look for the time, and here they were also making these space-age microwaves! Thank you for restoring a wonderful piece of home appliance history!!
Funny how such an expensive appliance compared to a toaster up until the 90's can now be found for as little as $39, less than the price of many toasters today.
Kevin,
I, too, found it odd that Tappan would get into the MW game given how their products weren't exactly on the bleeding edge. In actuality, it was Raytheon that licensed the technology to them. If you look at the '55 model, it's actually a stripped down 1954 Radarange 1161. The breakthrough that allowed for the countertop home microwave was the combination of the solid state high voltage rectifier and their compact design magnetron. As most know, they bought Amana in '65 to get into the appliance game to bring it to market. No more tube changes, no more warmup required, a reasonable size and a semi-affordable pricetag.
The Japanese were working on their own prototype magnetron designs but it wasn't until the late 60's that companies like Toshiba developed their own when the Raytheon patents expired. Litton got into the game in '71 with the new Toshiba mag and even Amana adopted it after the RR-4D. -Cory
I, too, found it odd that Tappan would get into the MW game given how their products weren't exactly on the bleeding edge. In actuality, it was Raytheon that licensed the technology to them. If you look at the '55 model, it's actually a stripped down 1954 Radarange 1161. The breakthrough that allowed for the countertop home microwave was the combination of the solid state high voltage rectifier and their compact design magnetron. As most know, they bought Amana in '65 to get into the appliance game to bring it to market. No more tube changes, no more warmup required, a reasonable size and a semi-affordable pricetag.
The Japanese were working on their own prototype magnetron designs but it wasn't until the late 60's that companies like Toshiba developed their own when the Raytheon patents expired. Litton got into the game in '71 with the new Toshiba mag and even Amana adopted it after the RR-4D. -Cory
danemodsandy
Well-known member
A Personal Memory....
Wealthy friends of my parents were the proud possessors of an Amana RR-1. Larry (a physician) was the kind of guy who wanted every new toy on the market; only the newest and best of everything was good enough for him.
At any rate, the RR-1 was touted as a cooking appliance, with lots of applications for family meals. Since the family totaled seven, with two adults and five children, Larry obviously wanted to help ease the chore of feeding such a large brood.
Well, for such early adopters, the family sure went into the 21st Century in a hurry. The expensive miracle appliance quickly found its niche reheating leftovers and making snacks. Larry used to refer to it as "the $400 hot dog warmer" (knowing him, he knew someone who knew someone and got a deal off the $495 list price). So far as anyone knows, Mary never actually cooked in it.
It's amazing how consumers determine what appliances will become, no matter the intentions of their inventors. I doubt one microwave in ten thousand is used for any real cooking today, or even defosting - just popcorn, ready meals and reheating.
The only difference between that 1967 purchase of an RR-1 and today's machines is that the "$400 hot dog warmer" has become the "$59 hot dog warmer."
Wealthy friends of my parents were the proud possessors of an Amana RR-1. Larry (a physician) was the kind of guy who wanted every new toy on the market; only the newest and best of everything was good enough for him.
At any rate, the RR-1 was touted as a cooking appliance, with lots of applications for family meals. Since the family totaled seven, with two adults and five children, Larry obviously wanted to help ease the chore of feeding such a large brood.
Well, for such early adopters, the family sure went into the 21st Century in a hurry. The expensive miracle appliance quickly found its niche reheating leftovers and making snacks. Larry used to refer to it as "the $400 hot dog warmer" (knowing him, he knew someone who knew someone and got a deal off the $495 list price). So far as anyone knows, Mary never actually cooked in it.
It's amazing how consumers determine what appliances will become, no matter the intentions of their inventors. I doubt one microwave in ten thousand is used for any real cooking today, or even defosting - just popcorn, ready meals and reheating.
The only difference between that 1967 purchase of an RR-1 and today's machines is that the "$400 hot dog warmer" has become the "$59 hot dog warmer."
I use the microwave to cook fresh vegetables and par-cook ingredients if I'm rushing a pasta sauce, stew or curry type dish.
Oddly enough my granny (RIP) used to genuinely cook with a microwave. She used it for so many recipes and usually in combination with her conventional oven. She actually preferred to microwave a chicken then finish it by roasting for maybe 30 Min to brown it. She reckoned it was much more succulent and tender than just traditionally roasting it.
Other than vegetables and porridge (oatmeal) I don't really cook anything by microwave.
Oddly enough my granny (RIP) used to genuinely cook with a microwave. She used it for so many recipes and usually in combination with her conventional oven. She actually preferred to microwave a chicken then finish it by roasting for maybe 30 Min to brown it. She reckoned it was much more succulent and tender than just traditionally roasting it.
Other than vegetables and porridge (oatmeal) I don't really cook anything by microwave.
I bake potatoes in the mw which only takes a few minutes and then put them in the toaster oven to crisp up the skin.. a lot faster than regular baking and there's no difference in taste or texture.
Irk
That's entrusting how you don't use your microwave that much and your granny used it all the time. My grandmother on my dad's side (stubborn old daygo) would only use her microwave for pop corn. My mother the same way. And my moms mom (the never changing Mexican) would not go around one lol I do use it to heat up things pre cook things and to make some stuff. That's the cool part of thes 50's microwaves they have a broiler to brown food too
That's entrusting how you don't use your microwave that much and your granny used it all the time. My grandmother on my dad's side (stubborn old daygo) would only use her microwave for pop corn. My mother the same way. And my moms mom (the never changing Mexican) would not go around one lol I do use it to heat up things pre cook things and to make some stuff. That's the cool part of thes 50's microwaves they have a broiler to brown food too
They do make them with a grill / broiler built in (at least here)
My panasonic is a combination oven, I only ever used it to do a baked potato maybe twice in 5 years!
I might get this to replace it
http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-cs894.html
My panasonic is a combination oven, I only ever used it to do a baked potato maybe twice in 5 years!
I might get this to replace it
http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-cs894.html
whirlaway
New member
The oldest Ive Seen!!!!
Was on the SS United States ocean liner.It was a huge 220volt Raytheon,it was maybe original to the ship when it was new in service in 1952,It was stainless steel,and I was told it could cook three turkeys at a time,it was about 3ft or more long,it had 2 dials one on each side of the door.Looked like an early 50s tv set.I wished I had bought it could have had it for a song.Everyone that saw it that day was amazed!!! That was in 85 or6 when they were auctioning everything off of the ship.They sold very little.I did get a Blue bolt down Westinghouse washer that I still have and they had bunches of parts for fans and washers,all Westinghouse.Lots of washers throughout the ship.I guess for passengers to freshen-up their clothes.I did notice no dryers! Bobby
Was on the SS United States ocean liner.It was a huge 220volt Raytheon,it was maybe original to the ship when it was new in service in 1952,It was stainless steel,and I was told it could cook three turkeys at a time,it was about 3ft or more long,it had 2 dials one on each side of the door.Looked like an early 50s tv set.I wished I had bought it could have had it for a song.Everyone that saw it that day was amazed!!! That was in 85 or6 when they were auctioning everything off of the ship.They sold very little.I did get a Blue bolt down Westinghouse washer that I still have and they had bunches of parts for fans and washers,all Westinghouse.Lots of washers throughout the ship.I guess for passengers to freshen-up their clothes.I did notice no dryers! Bobby
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