Early microwave ovens were massive luxury items that cost anywhere from $ 1 , 295 to $ 5 , 000 in the 1950s (well over $ 14 , 000 to $ 30 , 000 when adjusted for inflation).
The first commercial microwave, the Raytheon "Radarange," cost about $𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 in 1946. Designed for restaurants and ships, it was the size of a refrigerator (nearly 6 feet tall, 750 pounds), and required a water-cooling system.
By 1972, Litton (Litton Atherton Division, Minneapolis) introduced two new microwave ovens, priced at $349 and $399, to tap into the market estimated at $750 million by 1976, according to Robert I Bruder, president of the division. While prices remained high, new features continued to be added to home models.
In 1967, the first Amana home microwave oven, a 110-volt countertop model, sold for $495 (about $3,515 today). It was some 40 centimeters tall, 50 cm wide, and 30 cm deep. This popular version paved the way for the smaller, cheaper microwave ovens in use today.
In 1985, a standard microwave oven typically cost between $139 and $329 depending on the brand and features, with larger "all-frills" or convection models reaching up to $500 to $600.
In 1980, the average price of a microwave oven was about $425, which equates to roughly $𝟏,𝟕𝟎𝟎 today when adjusted for inflation. Depending on the size, features, and brand, typical models ranged from $250 to over $600.
In 1984, the average price for a dozen Grade A large eggs in the United States was roughly $0.85 to $1.00. Depending on the region and the time of year, some months saw average prices closer to $1.30.
In 1970, the average cost of a dozen eggs in the U.S. was about $0.61.
In 1967, the average price of a gallon of gas in the United States was 33 cents.
A 20-year-old microwave is generally safe to use if it is physically intact and functioning correctly. However, microwaves of this age are far beyond their standard 10-year lifespan and carry higher risks of failing safety mechanisms, degraded door seals, and electrical short circuits.
Back in 1970, a dollar went a lot further than it does today. You could fill up your gas tank, grab lunch, or catch a movie, all without spending more than a buck. Everyday items that now cost several dollars were once easily within reach with just a single bill.
Estimating the Cost of a 3-Bedroom House: 1970
However, historical accounts and scattered real estate records suggest that the median price for a home (not necessarily just a 3-bedroom house) across the US was somewhere in the range of $20,000 to $25,000.
The first Radarange microwave oven weighed over 300 kg, had to be water cooled, and cost $52,000 in today's dollars.
Microwaves became common in homes during the late 1970s and 1980s. While early residential models launched in the mid-1950s, they were large and prohibitively expensive. Mass adoption occurred after 1967 when the first affordable countertop models were introduced.
In 1975, a microwave oven typically cost between $400 and $600. At a premium, higher-end models from popular brands like Amana could reach up to $800. Due to inflation, this is equivalent to roughly $2,300 to $4,600 today.
People are ditching their microwaves to reclaim counter space, upgrade food quality, and embrace holistic lifestyles. Modern alternatives like air fryers and toaster ovens, coupled with a shift toward intentional cooking, have made microwaves feel obsolete.
The average lifespan of a microwave is 7 to 10 years, with most units giving out around 9 years of regular use. However, the exact longevity depends on your model type and how you maintain it:
Pyrex made in recently will have a stamp on the bottom marketing them microwave-safe, vintage Pyrex won't have that. But in general, Pyrex's whole claim to fame is how heat-resistant it is. We know it's not dangerous to put Pyrex in the oven; Pyrex is suited for the heat of the microwave, too.
The national average gas price in 1953 may have been $0.28 a gallon, but for those looking for a bargain, Omaha, Nebraska, was the place to be.
Candy bars were 5 or 10¢.
Salad bar staple Sizzler was also at the top of its game, and you could stop there for a $2.99 New York Strip, or $2.69 top sirloin. Seems like at a steakhouse chain, $2.10 ($16.60 today) was the going price for sirloin in the early '70s, while higher-end cuts would run you closer to $3.
In 1960, $1 possessed significant purchasing power—equivalent to about $11.25 today—and could stretch to cover multiple meals, entertainment, or fill your gas tank.
$100 in 2010 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $152.72 today. This means that over this period, the U.S. experienced a cumulative inflation rate of roughly 52.7%, requiring about $153 to buy the same basket of goods that $100 bought back then.
1966: New, Oldsmobile 98, $3,399. Used, Buick Skylar, $2,495. 1967: New, Ford Sedan, $2,199. Used, Comet Caliente, $1,495.