Percy Spencer was an American engineer and inventor, best known for his accidental discovery of microwave cooking. Born on July 19, 1894, he worked for the Raytheon company, where he developed radar technology during World War II. While working with radar equipment, Spencer noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket melted, leading him to experiment with microwaves. This eventually resulted in the invention of the first microwave oven, which revolutionized cooking and food preparation. Spencer's contributions to technology earned him numerous patents and recognition in the field of engineering.