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Fake(substituted) and Broken (unavailable) were words to describe "ersatz and kaput" as I knew them as a schoolgirl. Our family, in a derisive manner, talked about Hitler's attempt to cobble together a fighting force which we all feared would come to pass.By the time Americans were in World War II the shoe was on the other foot. (If one was allowed to buy a new pair.) Despite a start with poor military backup the country was determined to gain strength. Every bit of frying fat was saved and recycled. As were old metal objects. Most of all, to obtain needed rubber and silk--absent due to shipping constraints--new inventions came in the form of manmade materials, especially for tires and parachute material. By the time the war was over and the boys came home, there were yards of white nylon fashioned into new bridal gowns. With only cotton for women's hose it was great to have nylon hose again. The duration came up with nothing better than non-toxic dye, coffee colored, to be painted on young women's legs.
Since rationing of WWII, there were never that many shortages in the US. However, prices and patriotism curtailed usage.
From cybernetics and aeronautics so many inventions were made during the first half of the 20th century. However, nothing came close to what antibiotics would do for the body and what nuclear energy would do for the body politic.
Going to the grocery reminded of changes in this new century. Now that butter could be plentiful there is mostly oleo. Until the 1950s, to have a yellow spread meant mixing a little gold pellet with the white mixture. Wisconsin lawmakers were blamed for that affront.
Nowadays nice white paper towels are available--at a price. Paper products are to coming inflation as robins are to green grass. Garbage bags are thinner and costlier, as are diapers. Here we talk about the real scarcity, real substitutions, real wars, real politics. The subject is PETROLEUM.
Wars are still being fought over "energy" and pipe lines which transport it. It has been one long battle, with no end in sight.
The gimmies are prevalent. It's not a question of needing less cars but more efficient cars. Stuff! Where will it end?
For that matter, when will wars end?
