The Secret History of Home Economics

How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live

By: Danielle Dreilinger

Narrated by: Rachel Perry

The term "home economics" may conjure traumatic memories of lopsided hand-sewn pillows or sunken muffins. But common conception obscures the story of the revolutionary science of better living. The field exploded opportunities for women in the 20th century by reducing domestic work and providing jobs as professors, engineers, chemists, and businesspeople. And it has something to teach us today.

In the surprising, often fiercely feminist, and always fascinating The Secret History of Home Economics, Danielle Dreilinger traces the field's history from Black colleges to Eleanor Roosevelt to Okinawa, from a Betty Crocker brigade to DIY techies. These women - and they were mostly women - became chemists and marketers, studied nutrition, health, and exercise, tested parachutes, created astronaut food, and took bold steps in childhood development and education.

Home economics followed the currents of American culture even as it shaped them. Dreilinger brings forward the racism within the movement along with the strides taken by women of color who were influential leaders and innovators. She also looks at the personal lives of home economics' women, as they chose to be single, share lives with other women, or try for egalitarian marriages.

©2021 Danielle Dreilinger (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Excellent description of a valuable field.

I’m a proud home economist and loved hearing about the people who worked at so many things professionally who were all part of this wonderful world. Thanks for writing about all of them and proving what I’ve always believed. - that home economists are capable of everything!

Bring back home economics!

Fascinating subject. I learned alot about "home ec" and agree that it should be reinstated.

wow, I had no idea!

I have my bs in Home Economics as a dietetics major. I also was very action in 4H in middle and through high school. i saw the heavy science as a challenge in college as I took it with premed majors. I had no idea there were so many ways the major was being undermined.
i truely believe I have a skill set from the variety of classes tough through schools and clu s which helped me see the economic value to society when families thrive. We need these skills taught again and to hire home economics majors with their diversity of skills in leadership positions to move us forward into the interdependant, fast paced societies now and in the future.

Should be mandatory reading in usa

This should be mandatory reading, especially for middle school & highschool teachers and administrators. Every American should now the history and importance of home economics.

Incredible Research

I love reading old home economics books so of course I wanted to read a comprehensive history on the subject. Seeing a reviewer had criticized this book's coverage of racism, I knew it had to be a thorough history and had to have it. This book is a gem. A must have for anyone interested in the subject.