We'll buy back your Typewriter for Uncle Sam
During World War II, the U.S. government initiated a buy-back program for typewriters due to shortages, with Smith-Corona purchasing them at 1941 values. Rationing ended in April 1944.
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The blog post discusses a historical poster from World War II that highlights a buy-back program for typewriters initiated by Smith-Corona to support the U.S. military. Due to a shortage of typewriters essential for military communication, the government sought to purchase over half a million standard typewriters from civilians. The poster encourages citizens to sell their typewriters, manufactured since January 1, 1935, at 1941 trade-in values. The post also provides context about the typewriter industry's decline during the digital revolution and how Smith-Corona adapted by shifting to manufacturing labels and ribbons. The author notes that typewriter production was halted during the war as factories transitioned to military production, leading to rationing of typewriters. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) implemented regulations to control typewriter sales, allowing only military and essential services to purchase them. By April 1944, typewriter rationing was lifted as supply improved. The post concludes with a reflection on the significance of the poster and the historical context of typewriter usage during the war.
- The U.S. government initiated a buy-back program for typewriters during World War II due to a shortage.
- Smith-Corona offered to purchase typewriters at 1941 trade-in values to support military needs.
- Typewriter production was halted during the war, leading to rationing and restrictions on sales.
- The typewriter industry faced decline post-war due to the rise of digital technology.
- Rationing of typewriters ended in April 1944 as supply improved.
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6 commentshttps://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-smith-corona-mo...
Did they mean "decades"? (English is not my native language)
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