A patron and her daughter(?) handling a ration book over the butcher's counter, added by Ancient Faces on January 6, 2012.

In May of 1942, people in the US were required to ration as a part of the World War II effort. What was rationed? Such goods as automobiles, tires, gasoline, fuel oil, coal, firewood, nylon, silk, and shoes. Americans used their ration cards and stamps to take their meager share of household staples including sugar, meat, dairy, coffee, dried fruits, jams, jellies, lard, shortening, and oils.

Every citizen was required to ration and it was considered a common good for the war effort.

Rationing officially ended in November of 1945 but it took some time for all of these goods to become commonly available.