Pink Spaldeens during WW2 were converted to black synthetic rubber and lacked bounce.

Sorry, but recycled rubber from the war drives did not produce synthetics which came from chemical engineering from the big tire and oil companies which had ties to German I.G. Farben prior to WW2. Therefore, G-5 was a variant of German Buna S. Most US war drives were for morale boosting. Only the metal drives were critical for ammunition. Paper drives were so-so, mostly used as cheap packing material. Gas rationing was most effective to prevent attempts to acquire new tires . People used to line their tires with paper to prolong usage!

Gas rationing was intended more to preserve tires than to save fuel. Rules made by people who lived in densely packed city with streetcars and buses applied to folks living in rural areas who needed to drive long distances for groceries and other business. The Silly Putty I remember from my childhood was noted for being able to lift print from newspapers. Fun to play with cartoon images. Another rubber product of the era, the Super Ball. The ones made in the 1960's could bounce for two or three city blocks if you hit them just right. Don't think they make the real thing any more, Silly nor Super. In 1943 the Lincoln Cent was made with zinc to save copper for ammo. In 1944 it was made from salvaged and recycled cartridge brass.

And during WW2, the Oscars were temporarily made of painted plaster due to war shortages. After the war, they were exchanged for bronze real ones. The Oscars are now made of Brittania Metal and then plated up in layers to 24 carat gold! They were not wooden (a myth). One honorary wooden Oscar was given to a ventriloquist Edgar Bergen for his work with dummy Charlie in 1938.

Btw, Patrick, both Silly Putty and the Super Ball can be found online or locally. Wal-Mart sells Silly Putty and Target sells the Wham-O Super Ball. You can find older versions online through Amazon and Ebay...

Rehehehehehehe! 5's