1. The Home Front:
Rationing:
Almost overnight the economy shifted to war production. Consumer goods now took a back seat to military production as nationwide rationing began almost immediately.

2. The first nonfood item rationed was rubber
The first nonfood item rationed was rubber. The Japanese had seized plantations in the Dutch East Indies that produced 90% of America's raw rubber. President Roosevelt called on citizens to help by contributing scrap rubber to be recycled, old tires, old rubber raincoats, garden hose, rubber shoes, bathing caps.

4. Rationed Items. Rationing Duration Tires. Jan. 1942 to Dec 1945 Cars
Rationed Items Rationing Duration Tires Jan to Dec Cars Feb 1942 to Oct Bicycles July 1942 to Sept Gasoline May 1942 to Aug Fuel Oil Oct 1942 to Aug Rubber Footwear Oct 1942 to Sept Shoes Feb 1943 to Oct Sugar May 1942 to Coffee Nov 1942 to July Meats, canned fish March 1943 to Nov Cheese, canned milk March 1943 to Nov Typewriters March 1942 to April 1944

9. In May of 1942, the U.S. Office of Price Administration (OPA) froze prices on practically all everyday goods, starting with sugar and coffee.

10. Uncle Sam last week assumed the role of fashion designer
Uncle Sam last week assumed the role of fashion designer. Sweeping restrictions aim to save 15 percent of the yardage now used on women's and girls' apparel through such measures as restricting hems and belts to two inches, eliminating cuffs on sleeves. Exempt categories include bridal gowns, maternity dresses, vestments for religious orders. - Life Magazine, April 20,

11. By the end of 1942, half of U.S automobiles were issued an 'A' sticker which allowed 4 gallons of fuel per week. That sticker was issued to owners whose use of their cars was nonessential.
The green 'B' sticker was for driving deemed essential to the war effort; industrial war workers, for example, could purchase eight gallons a week

12. Red 'C' stickers indicated physicians, ministers, mail carriers and railroad workers. 'T' was for truckers, and the rare 'X' sticker went to members of Congress and other VIPs. Truckers supplying the population with supplies had a T sticker for unlimited amounts of fuel.

13. The national maximum Victory Speed was 35 miles an hour, and driving clubs or carpools were encouraged. The main idea was to conserve rubber, not gasoline.

14. By 1944, whiskey had disappeared from liquor store shelves as distilleries converted to the production of industrial alcohol.
New car production was banned beginning January 1, 1942 as former auto plants switched to the production of military vehicles.
Thirty percent of all cigarettes produced were allocated for service men, making cigarettes a scarce commodity on the home front by 1944.
By the end of the war, rationing limited consumption of almost every product with the exception of eggs and dairy foods.

15. People were. encouraged. to buy US. Savings. Stamps and. War Bonds
People were encouraged to buy US Savings Stamps and War Bonds to help support the war effort.

19. Almost overnight war production had to increase dramatically
Almost overnight war production had to increase dramatically. Auto factories were converted to build airplanes, shipyards were expanded, and new factories were built, and all these facilities needed workers.

20. The government decided to launch a propaganda campaign to sell the importance of the war effort and to lure women into working.
The government decided to launch a propaganda campaign to sell the importance of the war effort and to lure women into the work force.