THOUGH FARMERS HAD BEEN ASKED TO PRODUCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

IT WAS STILL NOT ENOUGH TO FEED BOTH A HUNGRY NATION

AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY.

TO HELP PREVENT A SHORTAGE FOR THOSE IN UNIFORM,

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEGAN TO RATION EVERYTHING

WITH A STRATEGIC VALUE.

SPECIAL COUPON BOOKS WERE ISSUED TO EVERY

MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD IN THE UNITED STATES.

WITHOUT THE COUPON BOOKS, YOU COULD NOT BUY CERTAIN ITEMS

LIKE SUGAR, MEAT, TIRES, OR GASOLINE.

>> I THINK EVERY TIME BEFORE THE BABY WAS WIPED OFF, WHY,

EVERYBODY WAS GOING TO SIGN HIM UP FOR A RATION CARD.

AND YOU GET ONE FOR THE BABY WHEN HE'S BORN.

OBVIOUSLY HE WASN'T ABLE TO USE ALL THE STUFF

THAT YOU COULD BUY WITH THOSE COUPONS.

AND THOSE COUPON BOOKS WERE COVETED.

AS USUAL, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF SWAPPING GOING ON.

IF YOU HAD A RATION CARD FOR PICKLES

AND YOU DIDN'T LIKE PICKLES,

YOU COULD TRADE IT WITH SOMEBODY.