In 1916, the first Piggly Wiggly store opened in Memphis, Tennessee, introducing the self-service grocery model that revolutionized shopping. Customers could browse and select their own items, a significant departure from traditional service models. This innovation not only enhanced the shopping experience but also set the stage for the modern supermarket industry, influencing retail practices globally.

The opening of Piggly Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store, altered daily life rituals, turning choice and abundance into features of modern consumer experience. Poets like Allen Ginsberg and Frank O'Hara began to reflect on consumer culture, exploring themes of anonymity and the commodification of everyday life.