Allen County Women's History
Date:
1941-1945
Description:
During World War II, General Electric Company suspended production of consumer goods to switch to manufacture of war materiel. In 1941-1942 a new plant, in addition to the one on Broadway, was built on Taylor Street dedicated to producing superchargers for aircraft, expanding GE's presence in the city. In addition to changing over to war production, local factories also had to change the demographics of their labor force. Due to the lack of male workers who were now enlisted soldiers, women entered the workforce around the city.

One such woman was Grace I. Smith, who worked in the supercharger plant on Taylor Street during the war. The General Electric employee identification badge includes the employee's photograph, name, and work location for security purposes.
Description:
During World War II, General Electric Company suspended production of consumer goods to switch to manufacture of war materiel. In 1941 a new plant, in addition to the one on Broadway, was built on Taylor Street dedicated to producing superchargers for aircraft, expanding GE's presence in the city. In addition to changing over to war production, local factories also had to change the demographics of their labor force. Due to the lack of male workers who were now enlisted soldiers, women entered the workforce around the city.

One such woman was Grace I. Smith, who worked in the supercharger plant on Taylor Street during the war. The General Electric employee identification badge includes the employee's photograph, name, and work location for security purposes.
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General Electric Employee, Grace I. Smith, Identification Badge, 1941-1945General Electric Employee, Grace I. Smith, Identification Badge, 1941-1945
General Electric Employee Identification Badge size comparisonGeneral Electric Employee Identification Badge size comparison
GE Women work on superchargers for the Air Force, 1944GE Women work on superchargers for the Air Force, 1944