Imagine going to
the store and not finding batteries, thumbtacks, alarm clocks, or paper clips on
the shelves.
During World War II, metals and factories were needed
for military purposes. Ships and planes and jeeps and guns and ration tins and
helmets took precedence over civilian products. After the United States entered
the war, factories quickly shifted from manufacturing civilian goods to military
material. The last automobile rolled off the assembly line on February 10, 1942. And on
April 2, 1942, the War Production Board ordered a reduction in the use of metals
in packaging. This resulted in the rationing of canned foods (Make
It Do - Rationing of Canned Goods in World War II).
Scrap drives and tin can drives reclaimed tons of metals (Make It Do - Scrap Drives in World War II), but not enough to prevent shortages.
Shortages
Many everyday items
became hard to find - can openers, kitchen utensils, steel wool, batteries,
bobby pins, hair curlers, razor blades, wristwatches, thumbtacks, paper clips,
pins, needles, zippers, garden tools, and bed springs. People learned to take
care of what they had - or do without.
Appliances
Both large and small
appliances were not manufactured during the war, so appliance stores shifted
their business focus from sales to repairs. Often families or neighbors would
share appliances. In July 1944, to encourage home canning but prevent botulism,
400,000 pressure cookers were released for sale, preferably for community use.
In Antioch, California, the PTA purchased a pressure cooker to share within the
community.
Toys
Many popular children's toys
couldn't be manufactured due to restrictions or shortages of
rubber, tin, and steel. Manufacturers converted to wood and
cardboard.
Typewriters
Not only did
typewriters contain metal, but they were vital to a paperwork-dependent
military. In July 1942, a call went out to the public to turn in any late-model,
nonessential typewriters to the military. Typewriters were rationed from March
6, 1942 to April 22, 1944, requiring a certificate from the local ration board for
a purchase.
Failures
Some programs ended up
as humorous failures. In July 1942, the government proclaimed a stop to the
manufacture of beauty products - but a great uproar led to the repeal four
months later. Sliced bread also briefly became unavailable. On January 18, 1943,
the sale of sliced bread was banned in order to conserve the metal blades. This
ban lasted only until March 8. Alarm clock production stopped July 1, 1942.
However, employers all over the nation lobbied to resume production to reduce absenteeism. In March 1943, alarm clocks were produced
again.
Which of these shortages would have been most difficult for you? Labels: metal shortages, rationing in World War II, World War II
