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Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814)
Benjamin Thompson officially declared nutrition as an independent branch of science in the late 1800s. Thompson was a scientist and inventor. Thompson studied nutrition and created a variety of kitchen devices such as a temperature-controlled range, a coffee drip, and double broiler. In 1893, he hosted an exhibit with Ellen Richards called the Rumford Kitchen. This exhibit displayed nutrition content of food and allowed visitors to test nutritious school lunches. -
First FACS Textbook Recognized
The first FACS textbook was written by Catharine Beecher and acknowledged by the Department of Education. The textbook's publication predates the term "FACS", but the text book was the first to be recognized on the subject. -
Ellen S. Richards (1844-1911)
Ellen S. Richards was an imperative force in cementing FACS as a profession and course of study. In 1899, she named her subject of study "Home Economics". With her background in chemistry, she studied and corresponded with chemists and other early FACS professionals. She hosted the yearly Lake Placid meetings. She continuously pushed for her education and for the education of others. She was willing to be the only woman while she discussed her discoveries and beliefs. -
W.O. Atwater (1844-1907
Atwater earned a PhD in chemistry from Yale. He studied the nutritional content and food and invented the Bomb calorimeter. Due to his hefty contributions, he is considered the “Father of Nutrition”. Atwater’s studies of exercise metabolism- calories expenditure and metabolic rate- informed the structure of modern experiments. -
C.F. Langworthy (1864-1932)
C.F. Langworthy was a chemist who studied the chemical composition of food and the mechanisms of metabolism. Langworthy served as a co-editor to the Journal of Home Economics. His contributions to the field of FACS also included constructing experimental food stations and creating nutrition bulletins for each. -
Morrill Act
The Morrill Act was written by Justin Smith Morrill. This act supplied land grants for universities. Later land grants such as the one that founded the University of Arkansas were made possible by this act. -
Land Grant for Arkansas Industry University
A land grant was given for the founding of what is now the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (originally named "Arkansas Industry University"). The university remains state-funded with over twenty thousand students currently enrolled. -
Martha Rensselaer (1864-1932)
Martha Rensselaer worked with the cooperative extension service to reach women in agricultural regions that may not have access to FACS education. Martha Rensselaer graduated from Cornell University and later became a professor. She served as a president of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). -
Carolyn Hunt (1865-1927)
Carolyn Hunt earned her degree in chemistry from Northwestern University in 1888. Her research focused on the various ethnic and immigrant populations in Chicago. Carolyn Hunt sought to understand the composition of immigrant diets. She also sought to analyze the economic status of immigrants. She attended the Lake Placid Conferences that shaped the history of FACS. -
Founding of the Arkansas Industry University
Nine years after receiving a land grant, Arkansas Industry University (now the University of Arkansas) was founded. Since the university's provenance, it has remained state-funded. Pictured is one of the original temporary "halls" of Arkansas Industry University. -
Rumford Kitchen at the World's Fair
In conjunction with Benjamin Thompson, Ellen Richards hosted the Rumford Kitchen exhibition. There, Ellen Richards sold school lunches while educating on the nutritional content and the possibilities for schools. -
Annual Lake Placid Conferences Began
In 1899, the title "Home Economics" was decided upon through a Lake Placid Conference meeting. Lake Placid Conferences occurred every year and involved influential FCS figures such as Ellen Richards and Catherine Beecher (picture of attendees taken in 1894) -
Smith-Lever Act
This act created the Cooperative Extensive Service which includes FACS. Many local extension services still exist and assist in educating community members on canning, sewing, gardening, and cooking nutritious meals -
ADA Founded
The American Dietetic Association was founded by fifty eight members. Lulu C. Graves was the first president of the association. The ADA's original mission concerned preserving the health of the American people during World War I by informing government members. Now the ADA is called the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which still serves to inform public health policy. (Picture source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) -
Smith-Hughes Act
The Smith-Hughes Act recognized FACS as an official brand of study in Vocational Education (CTE). The recognition of FACS as a form of Vocational Education eventually led to FACS' other branches (such as nutrition) being recognized as well. -
Vocational Education Act of 1963
The Vocational Education Act of 1963 focused on distributing grants to higher level vocational education programs. An emphasis for funding was placed on fields of study that were considered more pertinent to societal needs. -
Vocational Amendment of 1968
The vocational amendment of 1968 built upon the foundation of the Vocational Education Act of 1963, but further allocated funding to special populations. The act also stated that additional records of program intent and monetary use would be required. -
Vocational Amendment of 1973
The Vocational Amendment of 1973 sought to instill more suitable workforce preparation education. Programs involved career exploration and personal development in preparation for entering the workforce. -
Vocational Amendment of 1972
This amendment is also referred to as Title IX, which bans state and publicly funded universities and educational institutions from discriminating based on sex. -
"Home Economics" Changes to "FACS"
Through discussion at the Lake Placid Conference of 1899, the name "Home Economics" was changed to "FACS". -
Carl Perkin's Act
Carl Perkin's Act advocates for more specialized, career-centered education. From this Act, several guidelines were formed, along with a corresponding grant with specific requirements for educational use.
