6. Dr. Seuss presented arguments for sacrifice consistently
During World War II, as rationing took hold across America, one of the most consistently complained about sacrifices demanded of the American people at home was the manner in which gasoline was rationed. There was not one formula applied to all. Some received higher amounts of gasoline depending on a variety of factors, which included the need to travel for war related issues or work in critical industries. Those receiving less regarded their lot as unfair, those receiving more often complained that it was still not enough. The argument was made by many that there was no shortage of fuel (which was true) and that there was thus no need to ration gasoline. After voluntary means of rationing were tried and failed, mandatory rationing was imposed in December, 1942.
During the voluntary phase (which included the imposition of a national speed limit of 35 miles per hour) Dr. Seuss produced a cartoon which tried to present the argument for conservation of fuel. The cartoon depicted an American family happily motoring along and delivered the argument – popular among those that opposed rationing – that a full year’s driving only consumed enough gas to drive a tank 653 miles. A second panel showed a soldier in the tank pointing out that his trip, however short, was more important. The real reason behind the rationing of gasoline was the need to save on wear of tires, since there was a rubber shortage, as most of the world’s rubber came from areas which had by then been overrun by the Japanese.