In 1937, Richard S. Reynolds traveled to Europe in search of aluminum sources for his company, Reynolds Metals. When he returned, Reynolds shared with Congress stories about the arsenal Adolf Hitler was building in Germany.
U.S. Sen. Lister Hill, of Alabama, listened, and the two persuaded Congress it was in the best interest of the nation to begin producing military airplanes. The local Reynolds plant was created along with a new community, aptly named Listerhill, and supplied the nation with airplanes during World War II from 1942-45. After the war, the plant started producing Reynold's aluminum foil and has long been a key employer in the Shoals.