Before the U.S. business year of 1944 was well into its second half, it was already on its way to becoming a museum piece. In August President Roosevelt commissioned a full-length statistical portrait of the year. He asked that the regular Census of Manufactures, scheduled for 1945, be moved up to 1944: "The record should include an account of our industrial system while it is geared up for maximum production. This may well be the peak year of production for many years to come."
As such, 1944 would take its place in the economist's gallery...
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