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Why can't you put metal in a microwave? - Aaron Slepkov

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TEDEd Animation

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In 1945, engineer Percy Spencer was standing near a RADAR device that produced high-intensity microwaves and noticed that his candy bar had melted. He then exposed popcorn kernels to the magnetron device, and sure enough, they popped. Soon after, the first microwave oven became available, using the very same technology. So, how does it work? Aaron Slepkov explores the science of microwave ovens.

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The cavity magnetron was a technological breakthrough that enabled the creation of a high-intensity beam of microwaves. What field of study was first transformed by the invention of the magnetron?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Aaron Slepkov
  • Director Yuriy Polyashko, Darvideo Animation Studio
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Nikita Bondarenko, Dmytro Novitskyi
  • Animator Ann Homenyuk
  • Art Director Orest Smilyanets
  • Sound Designer Stepan Vasylchenko
  • Music Reality Check
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Produced by Abdallah Ewis, Anna Bechtol
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Cella Wright
  • Fact-Checker Charles Wallace

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