In 1930, the introduction of synthetic materials like Bakelite revolutionized clock design, allowing for affordable and modern clock cases. This innovation made clocks more accessible to the general public and contributed to the aesthetic evolution of timepieces in the 20th century. The use of plastics in manufacturing also paved the way for further advancements in design and production across various industries.

The introduction of plastic and Bakelite clock cases in 1930 mirrored the modernity of the interwar period, influencing poetry that critiqued consumerism and everyday life. Poets like W.H. Auden captured the complexities of time and existence in this rapidly changing world.