THE ECONOMY: Contrasts

Everybody seemed to be remembering 1942. It was the period when new automobiles suddenly disappeared and a rubber tire brought $30 to $40, no questions asked. In that year ice cream was limited to ten flavors, and there was an abrupt end to such goods as metal hair curlers, refrigerators, radios and beer in cans. In Washington, the Wafflebottom Club was founded—for businessmen who spent long hours warming cane-bottom chairs in the anterooms of Government agencies. The drinking public discovered to its horror that every blast of a 16-in. gun consumed 60...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!