The Gas Industry's Influence on Julia Child's TV Kitchen and the Future of Gas Stoves in Chicago

Documents unearthed by the climate watchdog group Climate Investigations Center reveal that Julia Child, the late TV star and renowned chef, was sponsored by the American Gas Association (AGA) to promote gas appliances on her cooking shows. While Child never personally endorsed products, the gas industry saw her as potent product placement to establish the dominance of gas in American homes. The AGA launched a campaign called "Operation Attack" in the late 1960s, employing tactics similar to the tobacco industry to fend off threats to gas. Today, the gas lobby continues to use influencers and disinformation to promote gas stoves and thwart environmental regulation.