In 1870, advancements in mechanized flour milling led to the introduction of roller mills, which revolutionized the production of flour. These mills produced finer and whiter flour on an industrial scale, enhancing the quality and consistency of flour available to bakers and consumers. This innovation not only transformed the baking industry but also contributed to the growth of the economy by increasing the efficiency of flour production and supporting the rise of commercial baking and bread consumption.

Mechanized flour milling improvements in 1870 were critiqued in modernist poetry for eroding traditional values. Poets like T.S. Eliot contrasted the mechanized process with imagery of whole grains, exploring themes of authenticity and the loss of artisanal craftsmanship.