Once used almost exclusively in fast-food restaurants, microwave ovens have become increasingly popular in home kitchens. Significant microwave Radiation leakage occurred with some early ovens, but safeguards have eliminated the problem. It cooks quickly but the results are unappetizing. In 1967 the first compact microwave oven for U.S. home use was introduced by Amana Refrigeration, a subsidiary of Raytheon with facilities at Amana, Iowa, which applies its consumer marketing experience to Raytheon's microwave technology. By 1987 U.S. microwave oven sales reached a record 12.6 million.
Food companies rush to develop microwavable food products.