In 1913, the development of Crookes lenses, infused with cerium, provided a breakthrough in optical technology by completely blocking ultraviolet light. This innovation had significant implications for both scientific research and consumer products, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of various applications. The ability to filter UV rays contributed to advancements in photography, health, and eyewear.

The Crookes lenses' ability to block ultraviolet light advanced scientific understanding, influencing modernist poetry's fragmentation and exploration of unseen forces. Poets like T.S. Eliot and H.D. utilized these themes to reflect on human perception and experience.