During World War II, extensive paper rationing was implemented across belligerent nations starting in 1939. This was a response to shortages caused by the war effort, as resources were redirected towards military needs. The rationing affected everything from newspapers to books, highlighting the war's impact on culture and communication, and leading to innovations in paper production and recycling.

Paper rationing during WWII in 1939 limited book production, prompting poets to turn to samizdat or short forms, which shaped wartime literature and influenced the works of poets like Stephen Spender. This constraint led to innovative poetic expressions that captured the urgency and emotional weight of the wartime experience.