FACT: microwave ovens were banned in the Soviet Union in 1976...

[shogun rua]

...can you guess why?

[NinjaBoy]

Yeah, I've gotten this email forwarded to me too...

Direct microwave exposure can cause a multitude of side effects. The Russians lead a study concluding this, banned them and sent out an international warning in 1976.

Things to keep in mind:

- During this time the vast majority of residents behind the iron curtain could not afford microwaves. Microwaves were largely a symbol of american culture.

- They didn't have a way to properly manufacture every part of a microwave at the time and would have to import many parts from the west.

- Soviet construction was notoriously lacking in standards. Manufacturing something like a microwave in soviet factories would be like manufacturing bombs.

- The microwave was pretty much an invention of the west. 1976 was in the middle of the cold war remember.


Is a microwave perfectly safe in every way? Not entirely, anything that produces any level of radiation can be dangerous. But the Russian study was largely politically motivated.

Why do you think you can buy microwaves now in Russia?

[-evil-duerr-]

because they make pizza pops all soggy. and nobody likes a soggy pizza pop.

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by shogun rua

...can you guess why?

Because they'd interfere with your brainwaves underneath those tinfoil hats?

[mapleleaf4ever]

i never stand in front of a microwave when it's running.

remember the big "Radar Ranges"?

[C_squared]

i
IN SOVIET RUSSIA MICROWAVE NUKES YOU.