Some observations on the effects of newsprint rationing (1939-1959) on the advertising media

Harry Henry

Very soon after the outbreak of war in 1939 newsprint in the UK, most of which was imported, had to be rationed, and consumption fell by 80%, a situation which continued for some time after the war because of balance of payments problems.

Some Observations on the Effects of Newsprint Rationing (19391959) on the Advertising Media

Harry HenryVisiting Professor of Marketing Communications, Cranfield School of Management

Newsprint rationing was introduced in the United Kingdom almost immediately after the outbreak, in 1939, of the Second World War. It was an inevitable consequence of the enemy blockade, for newsprint is essentially an imported product; although in those days about twothirds of consumption was homeproduced (only about a quarter is now, but that is another story) most of the pulp from which it is made originates abroad, so that it comes to the same...

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