During the 19th century, the scientific community held various stereotypes and prejudices toward female scientists. Women were not given equal access to education, status, freedom, time, or encouragement, hindering their scientific capabilities (Feldman 2023). Women’s roles in science were silenced at the time, forcing them to navigate their work through indirect and subversive means. They were viewed as intellectually inferior and incapable of being objective (Feldman 2023). These biases also frequently hindered women from participating in professional scientific communities, gaining access to scientific knowledge, or receiving credit for breakthroughs. Women's capabilities were doubted, with little being expected of them. It was difficult during this period for women to find anyone willing to mentor them (Moyal 1993). Understanding these obstacles that prevented women from advancing their scientific careers is important as it gives insight into why Eunice Foote did not receive the recognition she deserved.

While John Tyndall is commonly credited with finding the radiative absorption qualities of carbon dioxide, it was Foote who first explored these properties in 1856 (Ortiz and Jackson 2020). Foote had faced many cultural constraints, including various challenges for women in science during her period. Due to these constraints, another scientist by the name of John Henry had to present her work, as women would face many difficulties when presenting their findings (Mike B. 2020). 

John Tyndall, like many others, viewed women as less capable in science and overlooked their contributions. Women were excluded from scientific communities and rarely allowed to present their findings at AAAS meetings (Mike B. 2020).