World War II, Rationing - 1942

During World War II, rationing was a large part of life on the United States Home Front. Tires were the first items to be rationed. Cigarettes and tobacco were not rationed.

Rationing would deeply affect the American way of life for most. The federal government needed to control supply and demand. Rationing was introduced to avoid public anger with shortages and not to allow only the wealthy to purchase commodities.

"Red Stamp" rationing covered all meats, butter, fat, and oils, and with some exceptions, cheese

"Blue Stamp" rationing covered canned, bottled, frozen fruits and vegetables, plus juices and dry beans, and such processed foods as soups, baby food and ketchup.

Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a "War Ration Book." Each stamp authorized a purchase of rationed goods in the quantity and time designated, and the book guaranteed each family its fair share of goods made scarce, thanks to the war.

Rationing also was determined by a point system. Some grew weary of trying to figure out what coupon went with which item, or how many points they needed to purchase them, while some coupons did not require points at all.

Each family was asked to send only one member for registration and be prepared to describe all other family members. Coupons were distributed based on family size, and the coupon book allowed the holder to buy a specified amount.



Rationing resulted in one serious side effect: the black market, where people could buy rationed items on the sly, but at higher prices. The practice provoked mixed reactions from those who banded together to conserve as instructed, as opposed to those who fed the black market's subversion and profiteering. For the most part meat, sugar and gasoline in the United States.

Victory Gardens became the necessity of life.

Rubber Shortage - The Japanese conquered the prime rubber producing nations of Malaya and the Dutch East Indies in January and March of 1942 respectively, eliminating 91% of America's rubber supply. Since cargo ships were needed or military purposes, the ability to import rubber from South America was reduced. The synthetic rubber program had just begun and didn't produce enough to meet civilian and military needs. Before the war, the US had accumulated a stockpile of crude rubber - but only enough for one year at peace.

In civilian life, three-quarters of rubber was used for automobile tires, but rubber was also used for gloves, raincoats, boots, waterproof sheets and baby pants, girdles, hot water bottles, bathing caps, garden hoses, and toys. The military required rubber for vehicle and aircraft tires, pontoon bridges, gas and oxygen masks, medical equipment, boots, raincoats, shoes, and even erasers.

To ensure enough rubber for military and vital civilian purposes, tire rationing was instituted on December 27, 1941. The program ran through December 31, 1945.

Local Tire Rationing Boards issued certificates for tires or recapping upon application.

Certificates for new tires were restricted to vehicles for public health and safety (medical, fire, police, garbage, and mail services), essential trucking (food, ice, fuel), and public transportation. Recapping was allowed at the discretion of the local board for any of the above, and occasionally for taxis and defense workers who shared rides. Civilians were allowed to keep five tires per automobile, and were required to surrender any others.

These goods have been "frozen"; that is, their sale is stopped:
Dec 11 - Sales of new tires and tubes frozen

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