In early 1943, three notable authors—Rose Wilder Lane, Ayn Rand, and Isabel Mary Paterson—released significant philosophical works: Lane’s The Discovery of Freedom in January, Rand’s The Fountainhead in April, and Paterson’s The God of the Machine in May. These three writers, often viewed as an antifeminist collective, praised robust male figures as heroes in their narratives while largely ignoring the pressing global issues of their time. Their emphasis on free will as a core component of liberty played a crucial role in shaping the libertarian movement in the United States.

Their works collectively highlighted a specific ideological stance that celebrated individuality and personal freedom, resonating with many who sought alternatives to prevailing societal norms. This synergy among the authors contributed to a broader discourse around individual rights and government limitations, laying important groundwork for the libertarian political philosophy that would gain traction in subsequent decades.