World War II Ration Stamp Sign 2

World War II Ration Stamp Sign 2

A grocery store sign displays information about ration stamps accepted for sugar.

Kosti Ruohomaa documented some of the many posters and banners informing and encouraging people to come together to do things that would help the collective effort while the United States was fighting in World War II. Some of the signs give information about supply fluctuations and ration stamps, others illustrate a labor shortage, while a few businesses seem to be using the war to get people to buy their products. Most of the posters, signs, and displays showed the commitment of businesses, families, and workers to do their part to help their country. Six images were published in the September 25, 1944 issue of LIFE Magazine on pages 96-97, 100, and 104-105.

During World War II, the priority for the United States was supplying overseas troops. Many items were in high demand, such as gasoline, preserved foods, and rubber, and these were rationed using a system of stamps that were issued to every American. Food was the rationed resource that affected most Americans on a daily basis, with limits on common items such as butter, sugar, and red meat. Families were encouraged to grow their own vegetables and be creative about meals. Americans were strongly encouraged to never buy an item without giving up a ration stamp for it.

One potential negative consequence of limited or uncertain supply of basic commodities would be inflation. In order to stave off inflation, the U.S. government set maximum prices for many goods and waged a publicity campaign encouraging Americans not to accept a higher price than the set maximum, sometimes called a ceiling price.