In 1960, the 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures formally adopted the International System of Units (SI), standardizing scientific measurements globally. Building on earlier metric efforts, it provided a coherent framework for physics, engineering, and trade. This harmonization boosted international collaboration in science and technology, supporting precise documentation and cross-cultural knowledge exchange.

The formal adoption of SI units in 1960 modernized scientific language, influencing contemporary poetry that grapples with technology and measurement. Poets like John Ashbery reflect on the implications of precision in an increasingly quantified world, exploring how such changes affect human perception and creativity.