In 1937, Sylvan Goldman invented the shopping cart, revolutionizing the shopping experience by allowing customers to transport larger volumes of goods easily. This innovation significantly increased sales for supermarkets, as it encouraged customers to buy more items in a single trip. The shopping cart has since become a ubiquitous symbol of modern retail, reflecting changes in consumer behavior and the evolution of shopping practices.

The invention of the shopping cart in 1937 transformed the suburban shopping experience, becoming a focal point in post-war American poetry. Poets like Frank O'Hara critiqued consumer culture, exploring themes of existentialism and the alienation of modern life through everyday objects.