In 1973, the OAPEC (Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries) proclaimed an embargo. This was because Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel and the US decided to support Israel with weapons. As a result, the OAPEC used an oil embargo as punishment. The embargo caused a sharp rise in oil prices, and led to the Oil Crisis of 1973.
1973 Oil Crisis - Because of the 1973 Oil Crisis, gas in the United States was scarce. Oil prices jumped from $3 per barrel to $12, and massive gas shortages and panic soon followed. In February of 1974, the AAA reported that 20% of gas stations in America had no fuel at all. This led to an implementation of an odd/even rationing system based on licence plate numbers, where gas was available on even numbered days to cars with licence plates ending with an even number, and vice versa. Some states also implemented a 3 color flag system to indicate the availability of gas at a station. The Federal Energy Administration ordered gas rationing stamps in 1974, but they were never put into circulation. The approximately 4.8 billion stamps were shredded and destroyed in June 1984.
Tags: Energy, Environmental
Moral Equivalent of War - President Carter delivered a televised speech on April 18, 1977, where he addressed the energy situation in America. He compared the energy crisis at the time to the "moral equivalent of war." Carter predicted that a national catastrophe would occur should the energy situation continue to worsen. In his speech, he stated his goal to reduce America's dependency on foreign oil imports. He also wanted to promote the use of alternative like coal and solar. His speech introduced ten principles to reform the national energy plan. Other goals mentioned in the speech included reducing the annual energy demand growth rate to less than 2 percent, reducing gas consumption, insulating more homes and buildings, and establishing a petroleum reserve that lasts more than six months.
Tags: Energy, Environmental
The Toilet Paper Scare of 1974 - On December 19, 1973, Johnny Carson stated, as a joke, on the NBC Tonight show, "You know what's disappearing from the supermarket shelves? Toilet paper. There's an acute shortage of toilet paper in the United States." This caused widespread panic amongst the American public, who were already facing the gas shortage. Carson apologized for the joke a few nights later, but it did little to calm down the public, who got even more worried as they saw the empty shelves at stores. The shortage finally ended in about three weeks, when stores were able to restock their shelves.
Tags: Energy, Misc., Social
Artifacts:
4) Oil Crisis (Physical Oil Ration Stamps)
5) Moral Equivalent of War (Physical Sweater)
6) Toilet Paper (Physical)
4) Oil Crisis (Physical Oil Ration Stamps)
5) Moral Equivalent of War (Physical Sweater)
6) Toilet Paper (Physical)