Make It Do - Gasoline Rationing in World War II

Seventy years ago this week, gasoline rationing began in the United States. Rationing was an important part of life in America during World War II. However, the government was apprehensive about gasoline rationing. As a symbol of freedom of movement, the automobile represented everything American, and politicians feared riots and rebellion if they curtailed that freedom.

Rubber Shortage

What tipped the balance wasn't a gasoline shortage but a rubber shortage. The United States didn't have enough rubber for military needs, much less civilian needs. While tires and other rubber items were rationed, the simplest way to reduce wear and tear on tires was to restrict driving.

Drive Less

In 1942, a nationwide Victory Speed of 35 mph was instituted, since higher speeds remove tread more quickly. People were encouraged to use Victory Bicycles (except new bictycles weren't manufactured), public transportation, and their own two feet. Commuters were told to "Carry more to win the war," and to share rides or form car clubs (the term "car pool" wasn't used yet). Employers experimented with staggered shifts to reduce traffic - and therefore, gasoline use. Pleasure driving was discouraged and the "Vacation at Home" was promoted, not just to save gas and rubber, but due to the strain on the nation's train system by military transport.

Fewer Cars

Car manufacturing stopped on Jan. 1, 1942, and no new automobiles could be purchased after Feb. 22, 1942. A small stock was held in reserve for critical replacements. Auto manufacturers converted assembly lines to produce jeeps, tanks, and bombers, while the American consumer made do. Car theft - and tire theft - became a large problem. On July 1, 1945, automobile production was allowed again, and the first car rolled off the assembly line on Aug. 30, 1945 - a Hudson Super Six coupe.

Gasoline Rationing Begins

Voluntary programs didn't do the job. The rubber situation became critical, and on May 15, 1942, 8 million motorists in seventeen Eastern states registered for gas ration cards. Rationing began on the East Coast on July 22, 1942. These states were chosen due to better public transportation and shorter distances traveled, and because the U-boat menace off the East Coast made transport of oil and gasoline more hazardous. However, this also wasn't enough, and on Dec. 1, 1942, rationing went into effect nationwide. The program would continue until Aug. 18, 1945.

Stickers and Coupons

The American public learned to deal with an elaborate system. Every motorist was issued a windshield sticker displaying a letter. Some of these categories changed, emerged, or were eliminated during the war:

• A: most motorists - 3 gallons/week, reduced to 2 gal/wk March 22, 1944
• B: for war workers who shared rides with 3 or more passengers - 8 gal/wk
• C: essential occupational use, such as physicians, clergy, and mail carriers
• D: motorcycles
• E: emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police, fire - unlimited
• R: non-highway use, such as farm vehicles - unlimited
• T: truckers, institued January 1, 1944 - unlimited
• X: a controversial sticker for VIPs - unlimited

At the gas station, the attendant checked the windshield sticker and took the required number of ration book coupons - also marked with the appropriate letter. Of course, payment was also required - about 19 cents/gallon.

Gas Shortage

Despite rationing, a serious gas shortage developed early in 1944. The high military use and restricted shipping contributed to this problem. In January 1944 on the West Coast, very little gasoline was available - and none at all in Sacramento, California, not even for emergency vehicles. On March 22, 1944, "A" class drivers were further restricted to 2 gallons/week.

Not everyone complied. The black market became quite profitable, cases of gas siphoning made the front page of small-town newspapers, and several ration book forgery rings were broken up.

How do you think modern-day Americans would deal with these restrictions?