Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY Newfangled microwave was topic of OPD class

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.

BY OTTO DICK

At the Ogle County Fair in the mid 1980s Marilyn and I purchased a new cooking device called a microwave oven from Ann Geiken. (Ann Jones).

In 1991 Carol Moore wrote in her booklet “Oregon it’s a long way from Illinois” and article titled “Efficient Ways to Use a Microwave.”

“When the Oregon Park District first offered classes in microwave cookery two years ago, 120 people signed up for them. The first surge has slowed to a more manageable flow as the classes continue,” Moore wrote.

“I just completed what I suppose should be called Microwave 101, a four week class that met every Tuesday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Most of us in the nine member class had used our microwaves for the novice’s basic things; heating water for coffee, cooking bacon and re-heating leftovers. We soon learned that we had been treating a $500 wonder oven as a toy.”

Moore continued: “Ann Geiken, (Jones) instructor par-excellence, told us that the microwave oven had been accidentally discovered in the 1940s by a scientist trying to perfect a new radio tube.”

The first ovens were in huge cabinets with a six inch chamber for cooking. They were not available, she continued, to the public until the late 60s. By about 1885 half of the homes in the United States will have a microwave oven in their kitchen.

Ann, a former park board president, used a combination of show and tell interspersed with answers to question from students. “While

SPECIAL EVENT

The Rock River Center’s next Free Lunch Friday is Sept. 4 in Oregon.

Register by calling 815-732-3252 and designating dine-in or carry-out or drive-through.

The Sept. 4 menu includes ham, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, dessert and a drink.

“Because of the generosity of the Etnyre Foundation, Rock River Cen

she prepared a cherry caramel breakfast ring, she informed us that you get more radiation from a TV set than you do from a micro,” Moore said.

“As cooking odors filled the room, one student said, ‘That smells good, all I had for breakfast was a soggy piece of left-over pizza.’ To which Geiken responded, ‘when you want to re-heat pizza in the microwave, invert a saucer in the microwave and place your pizza on top of it: gives air room to circulate under the crust.’”

Every member of the class seemed to have a different brand microter prepared and distributed 60+ meals from the Center on Friday, Aug. 21,” said Rock River Center Executive Director Jamie Nobis.

Recipients who have pre-registered will receive a lunch for socially distanced dining in, carry- outs and drive-through.

“All attendees are required to wear a mask, have a temperature check,

LEFT: A newspaper ad showcases a new microwave oven for sale at Oregon Home Appliance in downtown Oregon. ABOVE: The 1988 Ogle County Fair was held Sept. 2-5. Images supplied by Otto Dick

wave.

“Ann stressed, ‘Know your microwave. Take a chair and your instruction book and sit down in front of the oven, push buttons while looking at the book. Don’t be afraid to experiment: almost anything you can do on top of your stove, you can do in the microwave.’”

She also explained how to clean the microwave. “Use a four cup measuring cup, fill with water and bring to a boil. Let steam clean the oven, wipe dry.”

“I feel that I learned a lot in four weeks, so much so that I’ve signed up for another class starting Nov. practice social distancing, sanitize hands, be in compliance with COVID19 guidelines as they enter Rock

River Center,” said Nobis.

Special dietary meals are available when requested with a registration.

In August, lawn games were set out in the multi-purpose room at 10:30 a.m. and lunch started at 11:30 a.m. 20,” Moore wrote. “My microwave now seems like a tool saving time and even more important, energy. However, I’m not thoroughly modernized yet, the two things I’m not going to attempt in the microwave are turkey and homemade soups. Nothing can replace those aromas!”

According to Wikipedia, American engineer Percy Spencer is generally credited with inventing the modern microwave oven after World War II from radar technology developed during the war. The countertop microwave oven was first introduced in 1967 by the Amana

Free Lunch Friday at Rock River Center set for Sept. 4

Corporation.