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The Defense Plant Corporation (DPC), created in 1940, financed over 2,300 facilities worth $9.2 billion to bolster U.S. defense production. By owning the plants and leasing them to private operators, the DPC mitigated risks associated with private investment during wartime.

The model allowed for rapid capital allocation and production scaling, achieving significant outputs like aluminum and synthetic rubber. Recent moves by the Trump administration to establish a sovereign wealth fund for strategic industries evoke the DPC's approach but raise governance concerns. The DPC's experience illustrates the need for structured investment mechanisms that align public goals with private sector efficiency while avoiding political interference.