Fake fur, also called faux fur, is a pile fabric engineered to have the appearance and warmth of animal fur. It was first introduced on the market in 1929 using hair from the South American alpaca. The quality of fake furs was greatly improved in the 1940s by advances in textile manufacture. Modern fake furs were developed in the mid-1950s, with acrylic polymers replacing alpaca hair. The promotion of fake furs by animal rights and animal welfare organizations has contributed to its increasing popularity as an animal-friendly alternative to traditional fur clothing. Uses Fake fur is used in all applications where real fur would be used, including stuffed animals, fashion accessories, and home decorations like pillows, bedding and throws. It is also used for craft projects because it can be sewn on a standard sewing machine whereas real fur is generally thicker and requires a special machine, hand sewing, or an awl. Fake fur is increasingly used in mainstream teen fashion; the stores Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle use fake furs in their trapper hats and jackets. Ralph Lauren has promoted the use of fake fur in its collections. Fake fur is widely used in making fursuits in the furry community. In the Soviet, and now Russian Army, fish fur is a derogatory term for low-quality winter clothing and ushanka hats, from a proverb that "a poor man's fur coat is of fish fur". Comparison to real fur Unlike real fur, fake fur is a fabric and is therefore relatively easy to sew. It does not require cold storage to prevent deterioration and is not prone to being eaten by moths. A 1979 study commissioned by the Fund for Animals argued that the energy consumption for the production of one coat made out of fake fur was , compared to for trapped animals and for animals raised in fur farms. This study has been criticized as being biased and outdated. It is also cheaper than real fur. It is not as insulating and does not allow the skin to breathe as much as real fur. It is also less biodegradable; it is made from various materials including blends of acrylic and modacrylic polymers derived from coal, air, water, petroleum and limestone. These synthetic materials can take a long time to break down, possibly anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years. Fake furs are not able to keep snow from melting