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“WWII Wool”

Black and white photo of a display, "Wool is vital to National Defense." It gives statistics on the importance of wool during WWII.
Wool production grew during the early 1940's due to WWII. This display offers explanation as to why.

During WWII, wool provided clothing for troops fighting overseas, and for products at home. During the 1941 crop show, Leland Sudlow captured this display on the significance wool. This week’s Throwback Thursday looks at wool production during WWII. Over half of the soldier’s uniforms used wool, and it was used in blankets for troops. Tanned sheep hides with wool were used in airmen’s jackets. The Commodity Credit Corporation purchased wool at $0.40/lb, under the guidance of the OPA (Office of Price Administration). According to the display in 1941, South ֱ produced enough wool for 197,728 uniforms. This is a significant amount of wool! 1942 had the highest number of sheep in South ֱ with 2.4 million sheep and lambs in production. To keep troops clothed and warm, sheep and lamb production was a must during WWII.

SDAHM Sudlow 72-0-38