Women as Smart Consumers

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Home Economics, like many other social sciences, evolved over time. During the 1950s and 1960s Home Economics focused on consumer culture. During this time, hundreds of Home Economics programs became informal product testers for the revolutionary new household products of the day.[1] As seen in Figure 1 from the scrapbook of Mary Washington College’s Pi Delta Gamma Home Economics Honorary Society, women in Home Economics programs tested electric washing machines and dryers that were staples in every American home. These Home Economics programs would then examine the dependability, efficiency, and affordability of products.[2] An article from the Virginia Home Economics Association Convention featured in Figure 7 describes the balance of fashion with functionality of lighting fixtures. The speaker, Miss Aileen M. Paige of General Electric, encouraged students to be critical lamp design and emphasized lighting techniques in Home Economics classes. Later, women that participated in Home Economic programs would presumably buy the products, like the most efficient style of lamp, that was determined as best according to their Home Economics experience. This buyer sophistication forced businesses to produce high quality, affordable items.[3]

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Home Economics, like many other social sciences, evolved over time. During the 1950s and 1960s Home Economics focused on consumer culture. During this time, hundreds of Home Economics programs became informal product testers for the revolutionary new household products of the day.[1] As seen in Figure 1 from the scrapbook of Mary Washington College’s Pi Delta Gamma Home Economics Honorary Society, women in Home Economics programs tested electric washing machines and dryers that were staples in every American home. These Home Economics programs would then examine the dependability, efficiency, and affordability of products.[2] An article from the Virginia Home Economics Association Convention featured in Figure 7 describes the balance of fashion with functionality of lighting fixtures. The speaker, Miss Aileen M. Paige of General Electric, encouraged students to be critical lamp design and emphasized lighting techniques in Home Economics classes. Later, women that participated in Home Economic programs would presumably buy the products, like the most efficient style of lamp, that was determined as best according to their Home Economics experience. This buyer sophistication forced businesses to produce high quality, affordable items.[3]