What’s My Line? panelists Dorothy Kilgallen, far left, is my favorite, and I’d guess that she’s smirking because she’s figured out the guest’s identity but is giving Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf a chance to catch up. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Next week’s SMK is like nothing you’ve seen here. I’m going to introduce you to a person who made a significant contribution to American arts and letters, but has gone uncredited or barely acknowledged.
I don’t want to spoil anything in advance, but I’ll offer you three clues:
You may have this contribution in your home.
This person has never been the subject of a full-length biography.
There's a connection to Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a president’s cabinet.
I should leave it on this maddening note, but I’ve spent too many pandemic nights watching What’s My Line?, a game show that ran from 1950 to 1967 in which celebrity panelists try to guess a contestant's occupation. Ask me open ended questions below and I’ll offer clues throughout the week.
I’ll send a signed paperback edition of You Never Forget Your Firstto the first person who gets the person’s identity right — an offer I’m fairly certain I won’t have to make good on. Prove me wrong!
Enjoyed your column about Grant very much, whom I knew about due to our mutual admiration for Lucy Stone. Did I miss the connection to Frances Perkins?
I’m going to go ahead and guess Marjorie Child Husted, who was the editorial supervisor of Betty Crocker for General Mills. I have a Betty Crocker cookbook, both FP and Husted were active in AAUW.
Thanks for the guess, but no, it’s not! My person didn’t author legislation or purchase an existing publication, but he or she may have operated in one or both of those worlds!
The contribution is bigger than a social security card, including the first informational foldout it came in. (I have my grandmother’s!) But as you probably read below, unless you have more than one, it’s smaller than a breadbox.
Is the significant contribution mechanical? ( Ps this is fun...if it was more real time I would ask question after question that I would want you to answer yes)
The contribution is not mechanical, no, tho there are a few lines in my forthcoming essay that involves a giant piece of machinery, and this person had a thing or two to say about it!
If I answer you literally, constantly, but this is not a Dear Prudence. This person did, at a later date, serve as a kind of consultant to the original contribution, so advice was dispensed!
Easy enough. Given your job title, I’m going with Eleanor Roosevelt because I can’t dive into this all day like I want to so I’ll answer and wait to see what the REAL answer is😂😂.
I went down a women’s history rabbit hole. My guesses are Gertrude Tendrich or Leona Chalmers. Not sure if my “theme” is on track, but this led me to some interesting reading all the same.
No, but I will say that you’re nearing the right aged person. Rombauer is older, but I wouldn’t assume it’s by a large amount, though I wouldn’t say it’s insignificant, either.
But Rombauer’s half-brother was Max C. Starkloff, the guy who introduced social distancing during the 1918 flu pandemic!
Enjoyed your column about Grant very much, whom I knew about due to our mutual admiration for Lucy Stone. Did I miss the connection to Frances Perkins?
Lucy Stoners, and another mention forthcoming. I dropped a lot of Easter eggs!
I think it’s that they were both Lucy Stoners!
Is the item potentially in my home something i would purchase just once or something that I would regularly replenish/ use up/ consume?
Hedy Lamar?
I had two conflicting thoughts: I wish she was as well known as Lamar and Lamar should be better known, too!
Hmm. I'm probably getting too far away from arts & letters, but Grace Hopper?
And just one more guess, Marion Donovan?
Is the item potentially in my home NOT a book?
YES
Is it Jane Grant, co-founder of the New Yorker?
WE HAVE A WINNER! Email me your address and if you'd like a specific inscription. studymarrykill@gmail.com
Congratulations Sam.....
Is it a woman?
Yes!
I have a guess. Did this person often publish under a pseudonym with the initials BC?
I’m going to go ahead and guess Marjorie Child Husted, who was the editorial supervisor of Betty Crocker for General Mills. I have a Betty Crocker cookbook, both FP and Husted were active in AAUW.
Sorry, no to both—others guessed around these subjects below, too!
I am new to this game so is this the right kind of question, but in what part of the home would this contribution be found?
Any! (Excellent question)
Julia Child?
Update. No because she did multiple books.
I think you are referring to Mary Harriman Rumsey, the founder of the Junior League, whose members have published many cookbooks.
She also helped author the Social Security Act, so many folks have a Social Security card in their homes.
But in terms of arts and letters, perhaps you are referring to her purchase of what became Newsweek?
Thanks for the guess, but no, it’s not! My person didn’t author legislation or purchase an existing publication, but he or she may have operated in one or both of those worlds!
The contribution is bigger than a social security card, including the first informational foldout it came in. (I have my grandmother’s!) But as you probably read below, unless you have more than one, it’s smaller than a breadbox.
Is the significant contribution mechanical? ( Ps this is fun...if it was more real time I would ask question after question that I would want you to answer yes)
The contribution is not mechanical, no, tho there are a few lines in my forthcoming essay that involves a giant piece of machinery, and this person had a thing or two to say about it!
Is the significant contribution that could be in my home typically found in the kitchen?
Is the mystery person an author?
Yes! One book—but that’s not the significant contribution!
are they bigger than a breadbox?
Yes, when compared to a breadbox, he or she would definitely be described as bigger.
How many guesses do we get? LoL
Unlimited—tho open ended questions may get you there faster!
Irene Dunne
Did this person often use a pseudonym?
No, but you’re nearing a subject that could lead you to the person! To be clear, tho, I’m not saying that subject is the use of pseudonyms.
Zerna Sharp?
No, but good guess! Now you’ve got me thinking about her!
Agnes White Tizard?
No, but now I want a baked good!
Clare Booth Luce?
No, but I concur!
Lillian Gilbreth?
No, but have you seen the painting of her at the National Portrait Gallery? Haunting!
Did this person give advice?
If I answer you literally, constantly, but this is not a Dear Prudence. This person did, at a later date, serve as a kind of consultant to the original contribution, so advice was dispensed!
Narrowed it down to 1953
Easy enough. Given your job title, I’m going with Eleanor Roosevelt because I can’t dive into this all day like I want to so I’ll answer and wait to see what the REAL answer is😂😂.
ER can never get enough credit to satisfy me, but no!
Margaret Knight?
No, but if this person was offered Knight’s “jack knife, a gimlet, and pieces of wood,” he or she would choose the gimlet in hopes it was a cocktail.
I went down a women’s history rabbit hole. My guesses are Gertrude Tendrich or Leona Chalmers. Not sure if my “theme” is on track, but this led me to some interesting reading all the same.
The theme is wrong, but the vibe isn’t far off!
Beulah Henry?
This is quickly becoming a really interesting women’s history list! No, but you’re impulse is right; she should certainly receive more attention.
I will say that our mystery person was a contemporary of Henry!
In a h/t to your pandemic binge, Is the contribution I may have in my house bigger than a bread box?
You speak the language, so I will too!
I wouldn’t say the contribution is bigger than a breadbox, no, but say you were to have more than one. Then it could be bigger than a bread box, yes.
Would you be likely to have more than one?
Mmmm so two very large cookbooks could meet the definition...'the Joy of Cooking'' 's Ima Rombauer ?
No, but I will say that you’re nearing the right aged person. Rombauer is older, but I wouldn’t assume it’s by a large amount, though I wouldn’t say it’s insignificant, either.
But Rombauer’s half-brother was Max C. Starkloff, the guy who introduced social distancing during the 1918 flu pandemic!
Fannie Farmer?
Oooh good guess! That’s someone who hasn’t received her due, either!
I’ll give you a hint: My person’s contribution is much better known.