At the beginning of World War II, a rationing system was established in the United States. Ration stamps or cards were issued for a variety of commodities such as canned milk and gasoline. To receive a gasoline ration card, a person had to certify a need for gas. The ration cards ranged from the most limited A card which only allowed 3 to 4 gallons per week to the most generous X card, which allowed the carrier to buy an unlimited amount of gasoline. A government entity, the War Price and Rationing Board, decided who received and A or an X card. Gasoline cards were allocated through:.