BACK THEN You can’t wipe with gems

Diamonds are a government’s best friend.

On April 21, 1942, this interesting article appeared in the Coeur d’Alene Press. The WPB (War Production Board) was ordering anyone with possession of or title to rough diamonds 10 carats or bigger to report that to the board. The purpose? “...to channel industrial diamonds directly into war uses.”

Granted, industrial diamonds — used for cutting more than displaying — aren’t worth a whole lot compared to their more lustrous, less-flawed cousins, but still, you get the idea of the importance of everyone pitching in to fight a common enemy.

And here we are, 78 years later. Who could’ve guessed back then that toilet paper would one day be more valuable than diamonds?