Do you remember skyrocketing gas prices? Long lines at the pumps? Limits of how much gas you could pump? Going into the Christmas holidays of 1973, the U.S. was confronted with an oil embargo from OPEC nations that resulted in the quadrupling of the price of a barrel of oil. U.S. production had declined and we had become increasingly dependent on imported oil to meet our fuel needs, not only for cars but also for heating and electricity in parts of the country where this was oil generated. The cause for this decision was a response to the support the U.S. gave Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. We were encouraged to lower our thermostats to 68, to conserve energy and carpool. We tried an experiment in year round daylight savings time. I remember going to early classes during winter at Youngstown State in the night.

Looking at the Vindicator for November 23, 1973, there were a number of indications of the impact of this crisis. One story urged us to “Expect Shopping to Not Be So Gay” [a reference to holiday cheer, not a sexual orientation]. The article detailed the curtailing of streetlighting and Christmas lighting displays in many communities. Some shortened the number of days for displays. Meanwhile, another article stated “The City’s Cost on Gasoline Jumps December 3.” Prices were up to over 35 cents! Of course, it offered an opportunity for price-gouging, with one station charging 86 cents a gallon on Thanksgiving, covered in a story describing how the station “Tries Gasoline ‘Blackmail.’ ” And there were signs that things could get worse with a front page story with the ominous news that “Arabs Threaten 80 Pct. Oil Cut.”

All of a sudden, interest in small cars became popular–Vegas, Pintos and cars from Japan like Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics. We all got used to wearing sweaters in chilly buildings and bragged when we saved a few pennies a gallom or even were able to buy a full tank. Speed limits were lowered to 55 miles per hour, which felt like crawling but was supposedly the optimum speed for fuel savings.

The Hills ad above continued with this copy describing the steps they were taking to conserve energy:

They cut back lighting, heating, appliance use on floor samples, encouraged carpooling, and set speed limits on driving for company business. And they encouraged the rest of us to join them. And as I recall we did–for as long as the embargo lasted. Then we relaxed although OPEC held this threat over our heads. In the late 1970’s, there were more shortages and restrictions. Remember odd-even days? And the prices always climbed.

It’s tempting to talk then and now, but I will resist that temptation–we’re in a different time and situation. I’d be interested in your memories of the gas shortages of the 1970’s and how you thought that changed your life around Youngstown. How did you respond? Did you buy a car that got more miles to the gallon? What other changes to your life do you remember?

To read other posts in the Growing Up in Working Class Youngstown series, just click “On Youngstown.” Enjoy!