Harry E. Blumenthal was for many years involved in the metal and scrap business in Minneapolis and its suburbs. During World War II he was associated with the Minneapolis regional office of the United States War Production Board, where he worked as a "special assistant" in the Salvage Division. In the late 1940s he was a district representative for Minneapolis metal dealers R. Lavin & Sons, Inc. In the late 1950s he was executive vice president of American Iron & Supply Co. (Minneapolis). In the late 1960s Blumenthal and his sons went into business as Harry Blumenthal & Sons, Inc., "metal manufacturers agents" and "merchandise brokers."
The War Production Board was one of several agencies within the federal Office for Emergency Management. It was established in January, 1942 to control war procurement and production, and to direct the flow of materials and critical components through the industrial system, including the flow of scrap metals needed for war production. There were several regional offices. Region 12 was based in Minneapolis and included the states of Minnesota and North and South Dakota.
Blumenthal married Eva Hecker of Minneapolis on July 1, 1930. The Blumenthals had three sons: Allen, Fred, and Bruce.
From the guide to the War Production Board scrapbook., 1943 March-July., (Minnesota Historical Society)
