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Benjamin Thompson
Later known as Count Rumford, Thompson was a British physicist and inventor who is known for his advances in thermodynamics, as well as for his military exploits during the American Revolution. Though siding with the British during the war, he did make several scientific contributions to American domestic life such as a more efficient fireplace, a kitchen range, and a double boiler--thus his connection to FACS. -
Catherine Beecher
A life dedicated to education, Beecher wrote numerous works including the A Treatise on Domestic Economy. She sought to promote the role of women as homemakers and educators and encourage other women to value the influence they had in these roles. -
Land-Grant Universities in Arkansas
The land-grant universities established in Arkansas under the Morrill Act include University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff. -
Justin Smith Morrill
Justin Morrill was a congressman from Vermont who sponsored the Morrill Act. This piece of legislation called for investment in the fields of science, mechanics, and agriculture in order to meet the rising industrial needs of the nation. 69 schools were established across the United States. -
Land-Grant Universities
Justin Morrell, a congressman from Vermont, sponsored a bill called the Morrill Act. By the sale of federal lands granted to state, this act funded the establishment of 69 "agriculture and mechanic art" schools across the U.S. -
W.O. Atwater
Wilbur Atwater spent his life in the study of agricultural experimentation and human nutrition. Much of his research, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sought to discover how the poor could eat both economically and well. -
The Rumford Kitchen - Chicago World's Fair
The Rumford Kitchen was an educational exhibit created by Ellen Richards to promote quality, but low-cost nutritional principles. Her principles are compiled in her book entitled “The Chemistry of Cooking and Cleaning: A Manual for Housekeepers.” -
CF Langworthy
Charles Ford Langworthy was both a chemist, nutritionist, and writer. Originally born in Vermont, Langworthy worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the Chief of the Office of Home Economics. He was also involved with the Chicago World's Fair and associated with Professor W.O. Atwater. -
Lake Placid Conference
This was the first meeting of leading figures in an emerging field known as "home economics." Soon, an organization was officially established. It was led by Ellen Richards and built on the foundation of domestic scientists like Harriet Beecher Stowe. -
Carolyn Hunt
A high school chemistry and physics teacher, Hunt became the first professor of home economics at the University of Wisconsin. She wanted to liberate women from the drudgery of housework and teach them how to simplify their lives. -
Ellen H. Richards
First president of the American Home Economics Association, Ellen Richards was a pioneer for women's rights and the expansion of education. She was the first woman to be both accepted to MIT and later take a faculty position. Her work as both a chemist and nutritionist contributed significantly to the field of Family and Consumer Science. One of her goals was to apply scientific knowledge to everyday domestic life. -
Smith Lever Act
A breakthrough for the home economics movement, this act enabled land-grant universities to cooperate with the Department of Agriculture. This act joins in the effort to extend education and inform people about science and its domestic application. -
Martha Rensselaer
Rensselaer served as president of the American Home Economics Association from 1914-1916. A prominent voice on women's and family issues, she was convinced that the burdens of everyday life could only be eased through scientific principles. -
Smith Hughes Act
During this time, a more practical approach to education was desperately needed in America. Specifically, an approach was needed that emphasized vocational training in the areas of agriculture and industry rather than classical subjects. This act unlocked funds to be provided to the states for this purpose - primarily paying teacher salaries. -
Lulu C. Graves
Graves became the first president of the American Dietetic Association which soon became the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During WW1, the aim of this organization was to aid in the government's efforts to conserve food and improve public health. Today, the mission remains the same: improve the nation's nutritional health through advocacy and education. -
Carl Perkins Act
This act provides additional funding for technical education in the United States. The hope was, that as a result, education quality would improve and thereby enhance industrialization efforts - a win for the home economics movement! -
Vocational Education Act
This act replaced the Smith-Hughes Act - simply providing federal funding to states so that they could continue pushing vocational education in industry and agriculture. In addition to expanded funding, it introduced Work Study programs and gender equity. -
Vocational Amendment
The Vocational Amendment of 1968 extends funding to an increased emphasis on the personnel involved in consumer and homemaking education and also allowed for a National Advisory Council on Vocational Education. The 1973 Comprehensive Employment and Training Act sought to place economically disadvantaged persons within reach of federal job training programs. -
Vocational Amendment
This time, new efforts were made to overcome discrimination bias towards the disadvantaged, bilingual, or those of a particular sex. -
Name Change!
As of 1993, the American Home Economics Association became the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. This update simply provides a fresh label but work in the field remains the same.
