The War Industries Board (WIB) was a United States government agency established during World War I to coordinate the purchase of war supplies. It was created in July 1917 and dissolved shortly after the armistice in November 1918. The agency encouraged companies to use mass-production techniques and standardize products. It set production quotas and allocated raw materials. It also conducted psychological testing to help people find the right jobs. Bernard Baruch, a Wall Street financier, headed the board during most of its existence. An example of the board’s actions includes directing steel production primarily toward military needs, curtailing its availability for civilian uses like automobile manufacturing.
The importance of the WIB lies in its central role in mobilizing the American economy for war. It ensured that the U.S. military and its allies had the necessary resources to fight effectively. By standardizing production and allocating resources efficiently, the board helped to avoid shortages and keep costs down. Its activities resulted in increased industrial production and a more efficient national economy, contributing significantly to the Allied victory. The historical context of the agency reflects the unprecedented level of government intervention in the economy during wartime.
