In 1943, Willem Johan Kolff developed an early artificial kidney during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Haemodialysis required blood to circulate outside the body without clotting, making anticoagulation crucial. This work helped launch modern renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal circulation.

Kolff's development of the artificial kidney in 1943 blurred the lines between life and machine, a theme that permeated modern literature. This innovation prompted poets to explore the implications of technology on human existence, questioning the nature of life and identity.