Perhaps considered one of the top three all-time small kitchen appliances. The home-use model was originally invented in the early 1950s but had a very heavy price tag so it wasn’t until the early 1980s that microwaves became commonplace in the kitchen. In the 1970s when consumers began purchasing microwaves they cost between $3,000 and $4,000 in today’s dollars! Today, it’s infinitely easier to purchase the microwave that will best suit your overall needs at an affordable price.