The Astounding Productivity of the American Aircraft Industry in WW2

As reported in Aircraft Production Numbers-1909-1955, an official 1955 document posted at www.aia-aerospace.org, “During World War II, more Americans worked to build military aircraft than had been engaged in any other single manufacturing effort in history. Statistically, the industry rose from 41st in rank among U.S. employers to first. By year-end 1943, 1,342,500 men and women were employed directly aircraft manufacturers, and an additional 650,000 persons were employed by industry sub-contractors and suppliers in the...