Posted in Ohio
January 13, 2016
Most People Have Never Seen These 15 Photos Taken During WW II In Ohio
World War II was a trying, important time for our nation. Back home in Ohio, productions such as tire manufacturing and subcontracting aircraft parts supported the war efforts. Homecomings for soldiers were often accompanied with carnivals or other celebrations. The following are 15 rare photos of Ohio during World War II, with the original captions included.
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"This vulcanizing unit, largest in the world, was designed for the vulcanizing of giant tires used on earth-moving machinery; is now helping out the war program by vulcanizing self-sealing gas tanks for the nation's war planes. The mold containing the tank has been lowered into the vulcanizing unit and the huge cover is being lowered into position before the heat is turned on."
"Giant vulcanizer used in the vulcanization of bullet-sealing gasoline tanks, eight-foot high bomber tires and huge 3,600-pound earth mover tires. This unit at a large Eastern tire plant is the largest of its kind in the world. It must be thoroughly and constantly inspected as it is in frequent service on war production. Here the inspector is checking the steam and pressure fittings. The mold, when open, stands more than two-and-a-half stories high and weighs over 300,000 pounds."
"This husky workman, standing six feet four inches tall, looks small indeed as he uses air pressure to clean the lid of the world's largest vulcanizing unit at a large Eastern tire plant. The top section of this mold, now being prepared to vulcanize a large bullet-sealing gasoline tank, weighs sixteen tons and can also be used to vulcanize tires 10 feet in diameter."
"Final inspection of the world's largest tire, the 36.00-40 earth mover, used in the construction of airports and new army camps. This huge tire stands nine and a half feet high, with tube and flap, weighs 3,646 pounds and carries 55,000 pounds. The giant mold in which it is vulcanized weighs 300,000 pounds and stands two and a half stories high when the cover is open. The top section of the mold which is raised and lowered to admit the tire, weighs 16 tons. Large bullet- sealing gasoline and oil tanks are also being cured in this mold."
"War production is in large measure a story of conversion, a story of using at once facilities already available while newer facilities are being readied. Formerly an airship dock, this huge building--thought to be the largest in the world with no interior supports--is now the scene of many busy shops turning out aircraft sub-assembly parts."
"Goodyear Aircraft Corp., Akron, Ohio: Either new housing close to the plant or vastly improved public transportation will eventually have to be supplied, for the tires on the cars of the workers, and perhaps even the cars themselves, will in many instances give in before the end of the present emergency."
Do you or your family members have any stories about what life was like in Ohio during World War II? Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below!
