Truck - Factory - Some assembly required 1942 Postcard

Colorized photo from 1942, August Original title: Chrysler Corporation Dodge Truck plant Photographer: Arthur S. Siegel Location: Detroit, MI During World War II, the government created the Defense Production act, it allowed the government to order companies to build things they needed for an emergency. They of course aided in building or getting them what they needed. In this case they needed army trucks and tanks to be built. So they built a building specially for this use. It was designed to have large open windows like this. It allowed a lot of light inside. But at the same time many of the walls were 3 feet thick, and the roof was designed to divert bombs away from windows and exhaust fans. This part of the plant are creating the WC53 Carryall's. It was sort of a station wagon, often used as an ambulance. You can see just how many people were employed to make these things. Everything by hand and of course American made. Each person installed their part, some had to weld, braze or solder things on. And note there are no fans any where, its August, and so many people are in tank tops. You can almost feel the heat radiating in that plant.