9/32" drive back story

[lane in LA]

I recently purchased online a WWII socket set that I thought was 1/4" but have since realized it is 9/32." Other war offerings on ebay seem to have that same drive size. What is the background of this size which seems not to have survived time?

thanks

lane

[snapmom]

Snap on started 9/32 drive tools in about 1925. Last seen sometimes in the 60s I think. They were not just war time.

[lane in LA]

Thanks for that history. I sort of came to that conclusion looking on this site at the 9/32" socket sets evolution. I imagined that market forces streamlined tools to 1/4" which may have simplified things overall for mechanics and industrial users. I also reread the Hemmings account here of how Frank gathered so much from old catalogs and I promptly went to ebay and bought what was offered. Too bad Snap On doesn't have exhaustive internal records like some automobile manufacturers had preserved that would inform us late-day collectors and aficionados.

[snapmom]

Snap on does, but it not open to the public.

[lane in LA]

Probably closely guarded, not unlike some famous chefs or restaurants with their secret recipes. In all seriousness I can understand how things might be kept inside the company.