This is Bob Myers from the Historical Society of Michigan with a Michigan history moment. During World War II, families throughout Michigan contributed to the war effort by participating in scrap drives. They collected metal, rubber, paper and cooking fat to turn into goods that would help win the war. When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, industries demanded all sorts of materials with which to make armaments and to feed and supply soldiers and sailors. The government rationed commodities, buying meat, sugar, butter, shoes, tires and other goods required ration stamps. Anyone seeking to buy something without ration stamps heard the exasperated reply, don't you know there's a war on? When the government called for scrap metal, Michiganders responded. They collected old farm equipment, aluminum pots and pans, and even wrought iron fences and Civil War memorial cannons. Families saved in flattened tin cans. Children scoured their neighborhoods for cast off metal. The federal government held a Rubber Drive in June 1942. War production demanded rubber, especially for tires for trucks and airplanes. But Japanese victories early in the war cut off supplies of natural rubber from Southeast Asia. People turned in tires, boots and floor mats. The government paid a penny for every pound of scrap rubber. In less than a month, Americans turned in 450,000 tons of rubber items. In 1942, paper drives resulted in a glut of scrap paper. But two years later, the nation saw a paper shortage. Boy Scouts and school children organized paper drives to collect old newspapers and cardboard. The War Production Board started the Paper Troopers program, designed to sound like paratroopers, to involve schoolchildren in the effort. Housewives saved cooking fat for the war effort, too. The government highlighted the use of fats and explosives. But more important uses were in food production, medicines, plastics and soaps. World War II scrap drives brought in much useful material. Not everything succeeded. Much of the rubber and aluminum, for example, could not be used for their intended purposes. But the most important role of scrap drives may have been in making civilians feel that they, too could help win the war. Michiganders could feel that they were all in this together. This Michigan history moment was brought to you by michiganhistorymagazine.org.