What's the deal with the popcorn button?

Technology Connections investigates the popcorn button on microwaves: what it is meant to do, why it works on some machines, and why it is nearly useless on most. It is a small case study in a control whose label doesn't match what it does.

HN people use it as a standard example of poor appliance design, and as proof that the popcorn button has a real purpose on well-designed microwaves.

“the popcorn button actually has a purpose on well-designed microwaves”