In 1929, Sam Foster began mass-producing sunglasses made from celluloid, selling them on the boardwalks of Atlantic City. This innovation made sunglasses affordable and accessible to the general public, transforming them from luxury items into everyday accessories. Foster's venture not only popularized sunglasses but also marked a significant moment in fashion and consumer culture in the United States.

The mass production of Foster Grant sunglasses in 1929 fueled the Jazz Age's consumer culture, influencing modernist and Beat poets like Allen Ginsberg. Their works celebrated everyday glamour and leisure, reflecting the cultural shifts and aspirations of their time.