In 1893, the US adopted the Mendenhall Order, which defined customary units in terms of metric standards. This decision marked a significant step towards standardizing measurements in the United States, reflecting a growing recognition of the metric system's advantages in science and trade. The adoption of metric prototypes aimed to facilitate international commerce and improve scientific accuracy, although the full transition to metric standards remains a topic of debate.

The US adoption of metric prototypes in 1893 aligned American science with global standards, serving as a backdrop for realist literature that explored themes of progress and measurement. This shift influenced poets to engage with the complexities of modernity and scientific advancement.