Records of the War Production Board concerning watches (including clocks and timers) so that both the civilian population and the military would be supplied with adequate and reliable timepieces.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of records of the War Production Board concerning watches (including clocks and timers) so that both the civilian and the military would be supplied with adequate and reliable time mechanisms as well as timers for military purposes. The activities ranged from control over
aspects of production to allocation of material used in manufacturing along with references to foreign importation of watches and a technical survey of clock and watch factories in Europe.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into five series.
Series 1: Watches by Type
Series 2: Correspondence: Manufacturers
Series 3: Reports for Watch Industry
Series 4: War Production Board Records/Reports
Series 5: War production Board Requirements
Biographical / Historical:
The War Production Board (WPB) was established in the Office for Emergency Management by an Executive order of January 16, 1942, which transferred to it the functions of the Supply Priorities and Allocations Board and the Office of Production Management (both established in 1941).
The function of the WPB was to exercise general direction over the war procurement and production programs of all federal departments and agencies. The WPB was terminated November 3, 1945.
The Consumers Durable Goods Division of the War Production Board was concerned with the regulation, production, and allocation of timepieces during
World War II.
Source
Guide to the National Archives and Record Services, General Service Administration, Washington: 1974, PP. 687 689).
Provenance:
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
