99% Invisible Cooking with Gas
24 snips
Aug 1, 2023 
Rebecca Lieber, a climate reporter for Mother Jones and Vox, dives into the heated debate surrounding gas stoves and their detrimental impact on health and indoor air quality. She discusses how a single government official's warning sparked a media frenzy and cultural clash over these appliances. Lieber explores the historical allure of gas cooking, shaped by advertising, and the ongoing transition to electric alternatives. With rising concerns about pollutants and regulatory changes, she highlights the challenges and emotional ties consumers face in this shifting landscape.
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Cooking with Gas
- The phrase "cooking with gas" originated in the 1930s with the gas industry.
- They planted it with comedian Bob Hope's writers, popularizing it to mean "on fire."
Gas Stove Ads
- Gas industry ads from the '50s show housewives convincing husbands to buy new gas appliances.
- A cringe-worthy '80s rap further cemented gas as the preferred cooking method.
Early Health Concerns & Fizzled Regulations
- While promoting gas stoves, the industry learned of potential health problems as early as the 1900s.
- Despite increasing scientific scrutiny, potential regulations fizzled out, partially due to the Reagan administration.