natioal microwave oven

[aquarius8000]

hi all. I have recently been to amberley working museum in surry and took a pic of this 1979 national microwave oven

any one know anything about these???

cheers chris

 

[joeekaitis]

National is Matsushita Electric's international brand, a/k/a Panasonic in the USA.

That recipe guide reminds me of a shortwave radio tuning scale. Does this thing pull in radio broadcasts as you cook?

 

[aquarius8000]

No

it is a timer in minuets

 

[rp2813]

You beat me to it!  I was going to make the short wave comment too!

 

I had a 1980 Panasonic that was still going strong nearly three years ago when I left it behind at the house we sold.  It wasn't as powerful as a modern machine, only 750 watts, but at the time that was a lot.  The National probably is in the same neighborhood.  I can't tell from the picture, but am guessing it may have a temperature probe like my Panasonic too.  I wish they still provided that feature on current day microwaves.

 

[retropia]

That's funny, short wave radio is exactly what I thought, too, when I saw the photo.  No doubt that is what the designers had in mind.  Cool looking microwave!

 

[aegokocarat]

national is also knowen for making the finest desk fans and pedesttal fans in the world!
Tom

 

[launderess]

IIRC

"National Panasonic" may still be the brand name outside of the United States, but then again could be wrong.

Temperature Probes:

Have always wondered about that feature and thought it would be a nice thing to have on modern microwave and or combination convection ovens. However seeing so many vintage ovens of that ilk on fleaBay and elsewhere with the probes still in their packet (unused) but the oven obviously very well used does make one wonder.

A quick "Google" of comments sometime back whislt researching a new MC and convection ovens found many found the included probes neither use nor ornament.

 

[maytagbear]

I use the probe on my Radarange

frequently. It is terrific for bringing water or milk to the right temperature for breadmaking (115F-120F, depending on recipe). It's also great for reheating casseroles.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[launderess]

Panasonic 750 Watt Oven

Have run into a few vintage Panasonic convection/mc combo ovens, but always passed because of the "low" power of 750watts. Even the convection heater wasn't that powerful (1300watts, my Whirlpool dryer runs hotter! *LOL), so assumed cooking would take along time by today's standards.

Don't do "TV" or frozen dinners that often, but once and awhile when there is a sale will stock up on a few for those "dinner for one" nights. To a box all give directions for microwaves >1000 watts of power. However they do state if one is using a unit with less the product's cooking time may increase.

 

[launderess]

Suppose you are correct. Lord only knows the modern sensor controlled microwave ovens can leave much to be desired.

 

[sudsmaster]

In Japan, many appliances from Matsushita are sold under the "National" brand name.

 

[MrX]

Panasonic is, and always has been, Panasonic here in Ireland and in the UK.

They were unable to trademark "National" in many English and European language speaking markets which would also have the word "National" as it clashes with other brands or is too generic.

They used "National" in some European markets prior to 1980, but usually with a dual branding with Panasonic. I've certainly seen older Panasonic equipment which had a tiny logo containing the word National beside the Panasonic logo.

Technics is their brand for high-end audio, and is still around to some extent for DJ / studio equipment. Although, it has been dropped for high-end consumer marketing in Europe and the US.

It seems the National brand continues to be used in Japan in particular, but also in other parts of Asia.

 

[brisnat81]

It was National in Australia from the 60's until the mid 80's, it became National Panasonic and then by the late 80's everything was branded Panasonic.

Mum still has her Microwave from 1983 and it's still working well, it's only problem is the Vaccum Flurescent display is starting to get dimmer with age.