During World War II, bakers in the United States were ordered to stop selling sliced bread. It was never explained how selling only un-sliced bread helped the war effort.
Really?
I don't particularly doubt the 'fact'. Many industries were requested or ordered to change procedure during the war. But was it
never explained? This feels like sensationalism designed to elevate a 'fact' which stands just fine on its own.
I'm going to check it ahhht!
Indeed, the 'fact' checks out, so I can drop the sarcasm marks. This was a wartime conservation measure. According to the New York Times, officials explained that "the ready-sliced loaf must have a heavier wrapping than an unsliced one if it is not to dry out." (I ripped that directly from Wikipedia, so it's probably good form to credit them at this stage). Thus, heavier paper is more expensive, and the reduced demand would save paper, labour, energy and money and other splendid war related resources.
I can't comment on the reliability of the New York Times' correspondence, but if 'officials' explained it, then it was explained. My checking of it ahhht would be finished at this stage, had I not found an answer which I prefer infinitely.
I don't know who to credit this to, so I won't. I just won't claim any (especially since it's not true).
It was speculated that this order was issued prior to America's involvement in WWII as a propaganda measure. The US government needed backing to join the war effort. In line with the phrase "...the greatest thing since sliced bread", it followed that sliced bread was the previous greatest thing. So: abolish sliced bread and blame the Nasties and the Japs for taking away great things. A week or two of having to slice their own bread would have the Americans lobbying for war.
In fact, the USA had been at war for over a year when the sliced bread ban was issued, triggered by a far less trifling matter than the sliciness of bread - by the inclusion of 'sliciness' in the dictionary! (if I recall accurately)
I occasionally ponder the greatest thing before sliced bread. I shan't be checking that ahhht, but your suggestions are welcome.
Sliced toilet paper?