Significant milestones in the history of the microwave oven occurred in October. Engineer Percy Spencer accidentally discovered the heating effect of microwaves in 1945 while working at Raytheon, which led to two important developments: 

• October 8, 1945: Raytheon filed the first patent for Spencer's microwave cooking process.

• October 25, 1955: The first domestic microwave oven, manufactured by the Tappan Stove Company under license from Raytheon, was sold. 

The accidental discovery and patent filing (October 1945)

• Accidental discovery: While working with an active radar set at Raytheon, Percy Spencer noticed that a candy bar in his pocket melted. His curiosity led him to experiment further by placing different foods, such as popcorn kernels and an egg, near the magnetron, the vacuum tube that produces microwaves.

• The patent application: Realizing the potential for a new cooking technology, Raytheon filed a patent for Spencer's invention on October 8, 1945. The initial prototype used an enclosed metal box to create a high-density electromagnetic field for cooking.

• First commercial product: The first commercial microwave oven, the "Radarange," was introduced in 1947. It was a massive, water-cooled unit weighing over 750 pounds and costing about $5,000, making it suitable only for industrial use in places like restaurants and naval galleys. 

The first domestic model (October 1955)

• Attempt at a home appliance: A decade after the patent filing, on October 25, 1955, the Tappan Stove Company sold the first microwave intended for home use. The wall unit was large, ran on 220V, and was priced at $1,295 (over $14,000 in today's currency).

• Commercial failure: The initial domestic microwaves were too large and expensive for the average consumer and did not sell well. Tappan subsequently scaled back its production. 

Later developments

• Affordable models: The microwave oven did not become a common household appliance until decades later, as manufacturing improved and costs fell. The first compact countertop model was introduced by Raytheon's Amana division in 1967 for a more affordable price of $495.

• Market dominance: By the late 1970s and 1980s, microwave ovens became a standard kitchen fixture in many developed countries due to lower prices and increased convenience. 

• Do you find microwaves a useful cooking tool?

• Have you used any Ham Radio Microwave bands?

Which radio did you purchase for your first Amateur Radio station?  Did you want a large, full-featured transceiver for the HF bands or a mobile radio for operating on VHF+ or even a tiny handheld transceiver?

Was your first radio new? 

There are many older transceivers that have years of useful service left in them.  Transceivers (“rigs,” as hams call them) are often available for sale at flea markets, online and thru other hams at the local radio club.  Whether you decided to purchase new or used, how did your first purchase work out?

Times Square's history began in the 19th century as a horse-and-carriage district called Longacre Square, but it was renamed in 1904 when The New York Times moved its headquarters there. The area quickly became a major entertainment hub, a tradition of New Year's Eve celebrations was started, and its bright, electrified billboards led to Broadway being nicknamed "The Great White Way". After a period of decline in the mid-20th century due to crime and vice, the area was revitalized in the 1990s into the family-friendly destination it is today. 

From Longacre to Times Square

• 19th Century: The area was originally named Longacre Square after a carriage-making district in London. Stables, riding schools, and the American Horse Exchange were located there, making it the center of New York's horse-and-carriage trade. 

• 1904: The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly constructed Times Tower, and the city renamed the area Times Square. A subway station also opened beneath the square, increasing its importance. 

• Early 20th Century: The square quickly became a center for entertainment, with theaters and music halls opening along Broadway. The first New Year's Eve celebration took place in 1904, and the famous ball drop began in 1907. 

Decline and revitalization

• Mid-20th Century: The area's reputation deteriorated with the rise of adult entertainment, prostitution, and drug activity, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. 

• 1990s: A major revitalization project replaced many adult businesses with family-friendly attractions, and the area began to attract tourists and businesses again. 

Times Square today

• Today, Times Square is a symbol of New York City and a major tourist destination, famous for its bright billboards, Broadway theaters, and New Year's Eve celebration.

• It remains an important public space for gatherings, celebrations, and protests. 

Have you been to Times Square? What was your favorite part and would you go again?

Overview

Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered passing through our celestial neighborhood. Astronomers have categorized this object as interstellar because of the hyperbolic shape of its orbital path. (It does not follow a closed orbital path about the Sun.) When the orbit of 3I/ATLAS is traced into the past, the comet clearly originates from outside our solar system.

Comet 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will remain far away. The closest it will approach our planet is about 1.8 astronomical units (about 170 million miles, or 270 million kilometers). 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest point to the Sun around Oct. 30, 2025, at a distance of about 130 million miles — just inside the orbit of Mars.

The interstellar comet’s size and physical properties are being investigated by astronomers around the world. 3I/ATLAS should remain visible to ground-based telescopes through September 2025, after which it will pass too close to the Sun to observe. It will reappear on the other side of the Sun by early December 2025, allowing for renewed observations.

Discovery

The NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, first reported observations to the Minor Planet Center of comet 3I/ATLAS on July 1, 2025. Since the first report, observations made before the discovery were gathered from the archives of three different ATLAS telescopes around the world and Caltech’s Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. These “pre-discovery” observations extend back to June 14, 2025.

How this comet got its name: Comets are generally named for their discoverer(s), in this case the ATLAS survey team. The letter “I” is for “interstellar,” indicating that this object came from outside our solar system. It’s the third known interstellar object, hence the “3” in the name.

NASA Assets Observing Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21, 2025, when the comet was 277 million miles from Earth. Hubble revealed a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust coming off of the comet's solid, icy nucleus. Because Hubble was tracking the comet moving along a hyperbolic trajectory, the stationary background stars are streaked in the exposure. Hubble’s continuing observations allow astronomers to more accurately estimate the size of the comet’s nucleus. Observations as of Aug. 20, 2025, indicate that the upper limit on its diameter is 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers), though it could be as small as 1,444 feet across.

NASA assets that are planning to gather observations of 3I/ATLAS include: Hubble, Webb, TESS, Swift, SPHEREx, Perseverance Mars rover, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Curiosity rover, Europa Clipper, Lucy, Psyche, Parker Solar Probe, PUNCH, and ESA/NASA’s SOHO and Juice.

Net Discussion Question:  Are you familiar with this comet? 

The Topsfield Fair was founded in 1818 by the Essex Agricultural Society to promote agriculture in Essex County, MA. It started as a traveling event before settling in Topsfield in 1910 and has remained in its original location ever since. The Fair has been a constant in the community, only being canceled three times due to national crises: the 1918 Spanish Flu, 1943-1945 World War II, and 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.  

Key Milestones

• 1818: The Essex Agricultural Society was founded to improve local farming. 

• 1820: The first event, a cattle show, was held to encourage competition and knowledge exchange among farmers. 

• 1818–1910: The Fair was an itinerant event, moving to different towns in Essex County each year. 

• 1910: The Fair permanently moved to Topsfield on the former Treadwell Farm property. 

• 1920s: Permanent buildings and an electrical system were added to the fairgrounds, and the Women's Department was formally established, according to the Topsfield Fair history website. 

• 1942: The Fair offered free admission in exchange for scrap metal or rubber to support the war effort. 

• 1943-1945: The fairgrounds were shut down for World War II. 

• 2020: The fair was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Fair Today

• The Topsfield Fair remains owned by the Essex Agricultural Society and continues to promote agriculture through events like cattle shows, giant pumpkin weigh-offs, and beekeeping exhibits. 

• It features entertainment including midway rides, & live music.

• The fair is a significant cultural event, with the fairgrounds becoming an important landmark in Topsfield.