Lawrence residents dealt with a variety of product shortages in the past. War rationing, political conflicts, consumer-led boycotts of rising prices, or demand for trendy toys all created scarcities. With global supply chain challenges hitting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages are all the more real for us today. As we navigate present circumstances, the ways our community of Lawrence weathered similar problems in the past, can give perspective to today’s challenges.