Microwaves in 1968

'Both the kitchen and the bakery use four 1.5-kilowatt magnetrons, operating on a frequency of 2450 megahertz. Cooking is said to be up to seven times faster than with a conventional cooker. Another advantage is that with microwave cooking the sides of the cooker remain cool: no thermal insulation is needed and the oven is much smaller and lighter at 2.5 tons. Cooking is cleaner and there is far less danger of fire. Moreover, dishes can be prepared in throwaway paper or plastic trays or dishes.

The morale of troops sheltering in foxholes may be expected to benefit greatly from the new cookers. Fresh meals will be prepared within smelling distance, and utensils will be incinerated by the oven after use or cleaned in an ultrasonic sink'

- New Scientist, 14 March 1968, on US Army experiments with microwave ovens