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Article: War Production Board
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History
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WAR PRODUCTION BOARD
Federal War Production Board (WPB) was an executive branch office in charge of mobilizing the U.S. economy for World War II (1939
–
1945). Established within the Office of Emergency Management on January 16, 1942, WPB had authority to obtain financing, enter contracts for procurement of industrial materials, and issue directives to private enterprises. With this authority WPB allocated resources between the military and civilian production sectors. Civilian production that was wasteful or unnecessary was stopped, while scarce or ...