You use them every day, but you've never seen them. Cutting-edge technologies depend on them, but they're as old as the universe. They're the magic behind radar, satellites, and cell phones. They make images of other planets possible, while helping us monitor the health of the earth. What are we talking about? Microwaves!

The IEEE Virtual Museum (www.ieee.org/museum), a pre-college oriented program of the IEEE History Center, has launched its newest exhibit, Microwaves: From Your Kitchen to the Edges of the Universe. VM visitors will learn about the many ways microwave technology impacts our daily lives. Like all VM exhibits, Microwaves offers descriptions of how various technologies work and then places those technologies into historical and social contexts. Discover how the same device that makes a icrowave oven work evolved from key technology development in the second World War. Learn about the people who researched microwaves and developed radar, satellites, and space communications. Explore how microwaves are used to help keep our skies safe, guide missiles, predict the weather, and detect and treat cancer. Finally, learn what microwave engineers have in store for us in the future.

Microwaves is a milestone in the growth of the IEEE virtual Museum. Sponsored and largely written by volunteers in IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, Microwaves marks the first time an IEEE Society has used the IEEE Virtual Museum as a forum for the history of their field. Not only does this exhibit showcase the technology and history of microwaves, it also introduces microwave technology to a pre-college audience.