Research

Scope and Content Note

World War II combatants and those who produced their weapons required a sophisticated understanding of mechanical devices. To raise the mechanical aptitude level of the population, the War Council promoted various forms of vocational education in order to help prepare citizens for the increasingly complex nature of warfare and the increased demand for skilled workers in defense industries.

This series contains 58 instruction manuals published by the State Education Department for the Vocational Education Program for National Defense Industries. These manuals covered metal work, carpentry, machine work, and other skills related to manufacturing and were distributed to vocational and high schools to assist in the technical training of students.