Imagine going to the store and not finding batteries, thumbtacks, alarm clocks, or paper clips on the shelves.
During World War II, both 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 car 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).
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 make do without.
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.
Many popular children's toys couldn't be manufactured during the war due to restrictions or shortages of rubber, tin, and steel. Manufacturers converted to wood or even cardboard.
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 1942 to April 22, 1944, requiring a certificate from the local ration board for a purchase.
Some shortages 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 chronic absenteeism. In March 1943, alarm clocks were produced again.
Which of these shortages would have been most difficult for you?
Labels: metal shortages, rationing, World War II