While it may have seemed like a good idea on paper, the banning of sliced bread turned out to be one of those rare times when the government backed down.
. The sliced bread ban
Americans were asked to conserve bread by observing “Wheatless Wednesdays,” during World War I, but during World War II, the government took its rationing a step further. In January 1943, the U.S. War Foods Administration instituted a ban on what had once been advertised as “the greatest step forward in the baking industry”: pre-sliced bread. The rule was intended to save on wax paper and metal. Since pre-sliced bread required more wrapping than a whole loaf to keep it from going stale, the government assumed they could easily conserve paper and curb demand for metal bread slicer parts by having people cut it themselves at home. The public response proved how wrong they were. Bakeries argued they had more than enough supplies on hand to meet demands, and housewives criticized the law in the media. “I should like to let you know how important sliced bread is to the morale and saneness of a household,” began one woman’s letter to the New York Times. Secretary of Agriculture Claude R. Wickard eventually bowed to the pressure and rescinded the ban after only three months, admitting, “the savings are not as much as we expected…
It doesn't happen often, folks, but it does happen. From time to time, the government does actually listen to the will of the people and act accordingly. Hey, we'll take our victories when and where we can, right?
Coffee out on the patio this morning, before it gets too hot, OK?
7 comments:
I can understand how they were thinking but it is odd, especially since they most likely would save a lot of bread since all slices were the same size. I never cut the bread in exactly the same way, some slices get thinner but most much thicker. So I think that in the long run people then would have used much more of the ingredients that are needed to make the bread. Still, how much metal would they expect to save? :-) :-)
Have a great day!
Christer.
That was probably the very last time the government listened to the people! All the rain yesterday cooled the temps down for now - it's 50 an the sun is out!
Don't remember the Government ever listening to the people during my life time, especially now. As Chickenmom said it probably was the last time. Makes you wonder where TPTB got their brain matter from. Today is the last nice day we are going to have for the rest of this week. Rain and heat moving in.
Just another dead braun thought from the dead brain people who run our Country sometimes.
Another nice morning here temps still low but not so damp making it nice. I'll join you all on the patio
I agree w/chickenmom linda m , that surly must have been the last time...maybe first and last :))
And another great posting. Wasn't there an old saying about the invention of sliced bread? Something like "the best thing since sliced bread".
Hey Christer...
No one can figure out what the government is ever thinking.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Hey Phyllis...
You are probably right about that!
We could use some of that cooler weather down here...send it on!
Thanks for coming by this morning!
Hey Linda...
I doubt if anyone can ever figure out the minds of the PTB.
Thanks for dropping in today!
Hey Jo...
No telling what they were thinking when they passed this ban...if they were thinking at the time!
Thanks, sweetie, for the visit this morning!
Hey Mamahen...
Sure doesn't happen very often. Makes history when it does!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Hey Dizzy...
I w3onder if they had a replacement ready for that old saying at the time? Probably not.
Thanks for the visit today!
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