Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Eunice Newton Foote
Aug 23, 2025
Explore the groundbreaking work of Eunice Newton Foote, who linked carbon dioxide to climate change in 1856. Delve into her struggles as a woman in the 19th-century scientific world and her role in the women's rights movement. Discover how her innovative contributions were overshadowed, and the efforts to rediscover her legacy in today's discussions on science and social justice. The podcast highlights her enduring impact and the historical context of women's roles in science.
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Foote First Linked CO2 To Warming
- Eunice Newton Foote linked atmospheric CO2 concentration to Earth's temperature in 1856, predating common attribution to John Tyndall.
- Her experiment made her the first known scientist to connect greenhouse gases to planetary warming.
Foote At Seneca Falls Convention
- Eunice and Elisha Foote lived in Seneca Falls and both signed the Declaration of Sentiments in 1848.
- Eunice served on the committee that recorded the Seneca Falls Convention proceedings, showing her active role in early women's rights work.
Inventor And Patent Household
- Eunice held patents including a boot sole filling to stop squeaks and later a paper-making machine that saved significant material costs.
- Elisha's patent law work influenced the couple's inventions and public presence in patent circles.
