The Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) is a federal law that gives the president discretionary authority over domestic economic activity in the name of national defense. This article examines the evolution of the DPA through the lens of the ratchet effect, which explains how crises can lead to the growth of government. One prediction of the ratchet effect model is that government responses to past crises will create a precedent that sets the stage for future government growth. We trace the origins of the DPA from World War I to the War Powers Acts of 1941 and 1942 and examine how its use has evolved through time. In doing so, we offer insight into the history of the DPA, provide an illustration of the ratchet effect, and highlight how crises like war can lay the groundwork for future expansions of government in unforeseen ways.