West Virginia's steel factories were working around the clock during World War II. The U.S. Naval Ordnance Plant in South Charleston (pictured) was the world’s largest plant for making steel gun barrels for battleships, tanks, and other military equipment. Its steel was strong and reliable, which made it perfect for use in weaponry.

Weirton Steel produced howitzer shells and other munitions and contributed to the atom bomb project. Wheeling Steel broke production records, producing bombs and steel drums.