How did people in Wisconsin and across the country prepare for the threat of nuclear war in the decades following World War II?
Multi-Purpose Food (MPF) was first developed in the 1940s with the goal of addressing starvation and malnutrition around the world. In the wake of World War II and the emerging Cold War, Multi-Purpose Food was promoted to Americans as a way to store food supplies in bomb shelters. Multi-Purpose Food from a fallout shelter constructed in 1960 in Racine, Wisconsin, shows how they were made to last.
Let's take a look
Questions to consider
How were Multi-Purpose Foods made and stored? What were some of the original reasons they were made? How are these foods similar to and different from what we eat today?
Why did people build fallout shelters in the 1950s and 1960s? Did everyone have a shelter they could go to? Why or why not?
How is science part of the stories of Multi-Purpose Food, fallout shelters, and the postwar era? What are some ways scientific research and discoveries might help us stay safe in a disaster?
Meet the historians
Get to know the historians. Each historian in this episode has a card with information about that historian.
There are 4 cards to read.
Sergio González
History Professor
I research and teach about the history of Latinos in the Midwest.
Nick Hoffman
Public Historian
I get to share our fascinating history and culture with the world!
Joe Kapler
Curator of Cultural History
Being a curator lets me play the role of detective every day I’m working.
Stephen Kercher
History Professor
I research and teach people about American history!
Quote from a historian
“The idea is that you would mix it in with water, or milk, or soup. But even in an emergency, two ounces in a spoon could help give you the basic nutrients to survive.”
Joe Kapler
Episode credits
Producer
David Boffa
Hosts
Sergio González
Nick Hoffman
Special Guests
Joe Kapler
Stephen Kercher
Research and Writing
David Boffa
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Ian Glodich
Sergio González
Ryan Hendricks
Nick Hoffman
Stephen Kercher
Videography
David Boffa
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Editing
Ian Glodich
David Boffa
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Translation Services
Rev
Educator Support Materials
David Boffa
Mia Forslund
Jen Kobylecky
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Web Development
John Vieth
Graphic and Motion Design
Danielle Riseley
Charles Barrows
Ian Glodich
Additional Production Support
Kerman Eckes
Zack Sieger
Executive Producer
Ryan Hendricks
Director of Education
Megan Monday
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Project Partners
Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History
UW–Madison Libraries
Wisconsin Historical Society
Special Thanks
The Peters Family
Miranda Ridener
Neenah Historical Society
Funding provided by
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Eleanor and Thomas Wildrick Family
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin