4/18/2010:
World War II was wrought with sacrifice. As men and women fought overseas, those back home planted Victory gardens, collected scrap metal and rubber, and went without silk and nylon fabrics. The war eventually ended, but change to normalcy did not happen quickly, and with the influx of returning soldiers, there was a shortage of housing.
In Grand Forks, the number of homeless veterans tripled in three months' time. So, on this date in 1946, The Ashley Tribune reported that in Grand Forks, an "extra special effort" was being made to find room for servicemen. A pair of nylon stockings, still a precious commodity, was given for every room offered to a veteran. For any apartment or house, two pairs were offered.
It was a tempting treat for women who had gone without proper leg wear because of the war.
Dakota Datebook written by Sarah Walker
Sources:
The Ashley Tribune: April 18, 1946, p.2
www.americainwwii.com/stories/productwithlegs.html