Rationing Means a Fair Share for All

Standing in line for sugar. Photo From: NATIONAL ARCHIVES

War ration books were created when the U.S. entered World War 2 in 1942.

The war created shortages of commodities, products and materials that lasted into 1947.

The ration books with home front coupons or stamps were issued to the public that designed when and what quantity foods, clothing and gasoline could be purchased. It was a complex system that the U.S. drafted cartoonist Chuck Jones to explain on film.

Items that made the ration list were as follows:

December 27, 1941
Tire rationing begins.

January 1, 1942
Automobile rationing begins.

March 13, 1942
Used typewriter rationing begins.

April 21, 1942
Sugar rationing begins.

May 11, 1942
Gasoline rationing begins.

May 15, 1942
Bicycle rationing begins.

September, 29 1942
Footware (rubber) rationing begins.

October 22, 1942
Fuel oil rationing begins.

December 19, 1942
Heating stove rationing begins.

Related: The female icon of WW 2 – Rosie the Riveter