45 Vintage Snaps Show What Life Looked Like in the 1940s

The World War II had made an impact on American life. Manufacturers began to put more effort into supplying the wartime needs of Europe, creating shortages at home.

By 1941, raw materials such as steel, rubber, nylon, silk, oil, and fabrics were in short supply. Automobile manufacturers gradually converted their factories to build airplanes, tanks, and other military vehicles. Clothing manufacturers made uniforms for the military.

Shortages also changed the way civilian goods were designed. In order to use less fabric, clothes became tighter and more versatile. Buildings were simpler and more efficient, while furniture became less elaborate and more functional.

Take a look at these vintage snapshots to see what life looked like during the 1940s.