In many offices today, lunchtime revolves around the microwave. There are usually one or two in the break room, and by noon, a silent routine kicks in—people lining up, watching the clock, waiting for their turn.
But it wasn’t always this way.
For those who entered the workforce before the late 1980s or early 1990s, lunch at work followed very different rules. Meals were often cold, packed in the morning and eaten as-is. Soup came in thermoses. Sandwiches were the default. Many workers left the building entirely, heading to diners, cafeterias, or wherever hot food was available.
Early on, microwaves weren’t standard office equipment. When they did appear, it was often just one, shared by everyone. Some people were skeptical. Others were fascinated. They were loud, bulky, and treated with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Then something quietly changed.
Leftovers became practical. Bringing food from home made more sense. Lunch breaks shortened. Fewer people left the office at noon. The microwave didn’t just heat food—it reshaped the rhythm of the workday.
Today, its presence is so normal it’s almost invisible—until noon hits and everyone remembers exactly how essential it is.
So when did the microwave become central to your workday lunch? And what do you remember lunch being like before it was there?