What are other examples of offbeat man-made materials?
April 26, 2009 9:33 AM Subscribe
Pleather fascinates me. What are other examples of man-made "faux" materials and/or products? I'm specifically interested in products that are considered to be (possibly inferior) replacements for the original?
Astroturf.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:41 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by spinifex23 at 9:41 AM on April 26, 2009
Acrylic Paint. I'm not of the opinion that they are inferior to oils per se, although some may see it that way.
posted by Scoo at 9:44 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by Scoo at 9:44 AM on April 26, 2009
Many things that are marketed as "chamois" are actually some man-made material, rather than, uh, chamois.
posted by Flunkie at 9:50 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by Flunkie at 9:50 AM on April 26, 2009
Various sugar substitutes, e.g. aspartame and saccharin.
posted by Flunkie at 9:52 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by Flunkie at 9:52 AM on April 26, 2009
Mechanical bull.
(I didn't know these amusements were still around, but oh sweet lord are there lots of mechanical bull riding videos on youtube.)
posted by applemeat at 9:58 AM on April 26, 2009
(I didn't know these amusements were still around, but oh sweet lord are there lots of mechanical bull riding videos on youtube.)
posted by applemeat at 9:58 AM on April 26, 2009
Trompe l'oeil painting.
In fact, there are many solutions known in architecture where the real thing is replaced by something less expensive.
I have inherited an suitcase full of tools with which a good craftsman could make any piece of wood look like it was made from a more expensive wood. Or to make chalk or wood look like marble.
posted by ijsbrand at 10:08 AM on April 26, 2009
In fact, there are many solutions known in architecture where the real thing is replaced by something less expensive.
I have inherited an suitcase full of tools with which a good craftsman could make any piece of wood look like it was made from a more expensive wood. Or to make chalk or wood look like marble.
posted by ijsbrand at 10:08 AM on April 26, 2009
Most linoleum nowadays is actually PVC, though I'm not sure whether the original version counts as natural.
Formica was developed as a substitute for mica.
Plexiglass? Fleece?
posted by moss at 10:15 AM on April 26, 2009
Formica was developed as a substitute for mica.
Plexiglass? Fleece?
posted by moss at 10:15 AM on April 26, 2009
The various laminates like Arborite that imitate wood, marble, etc. and are used for counter tops, flooring, etc.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:16 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:16 AM on April 26, 2009
There are some pretty good fake furs out now. Polyester mostly, I assume.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:22 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:22 AM on April 26, 2009
Particle board instead of solid wood. Vinyl siding.
posted by wholebroad at 10:35 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by wholebroad at 10:35 AM on April 26, 2009
In fact, there are many solutions known in architecture where the real thing is replaced by something less expensive.
Ah yes, that reminds me of Fypon decorative molding, which is made of urethane foam and is superior to wood in many ways.
posted by smackfu at 10:41 AM on April 26, 2009
Ah yes, that reminds me of Fypon decorative molding, which is made of urethane foam and is superior to wood in many ways.
posted by smackfu at 10:41 AM on April 26, 2009
Real linoleum is actually really awesome and environmentally friendly.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:56 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by leotrotsky at 10:56 AM on April 26, 2009
Naugahyde is natural. The gentle nauga can be found in and around Naugatuck, Connecticut.
posted by zippy at 11:23 AM on April 26, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by zippy at 11:23 AM on April 26, 2009 [2 favorites]
Celluloid was originally developed as a synthetic replacement for ivory. The big problem with it was that it was explosive.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:39 AM on April 26, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:39 AM on April 26, 2009
Pinchbeck. It was intended to look like gold but not actually be gold, but things kind of got away from that.
posted by jet_silver at 12:48 PM on April 26, 2009
posted by jet_silver at 12:48 PM on April 26, 2009
Terrazzo is fake marble. Fake stone has many names, and is generically called "composite stone".
posted by WPW at 1:48 PM on April 26, 2009
posted by WPW at 1:48 PM on April 26, 2009
Trex Decking is good mock wood.
posted by jenkinsEar at 1:55 PM on April 26, 2009
posted by jenkinsEar at 1:55 PM on April 26, 2009
Faux Real is a great read about the history of fake leather.
posted by lalalana at 3:19 PM on April 26, 2009
posted by lalalana at 3:19 PM on April 26, 2009
(Quibbles: terazzo, trex and particle board (the OSB variety) are all superior to their "real" counterparts in many ways.
posted by gjc at 8:15 PM on April 26, 2009
posted by gjc at 8:15 PM on April 26, 2009
Artificial hair for wigs and braids.
Faux tortoiseshell, pearls, shell for buttons, jewellery and combs.
Faux alligator and lizard grained leathers.
Faux boar bristle brushes.
All of these, I'll live with happily knowing that someone/something else didn't suffer to give me pleasure.
On the other hand: vinyl vs rubber dolls, rain boots, etc. Old rubber darkens and rots and/or goes hard, unlike newer vinyls.
Fake cream fillings and toppings which are a noxious blend of chemicals, oils, flavourings and colour, without a bit of cream in them.
Fake cheese slices which are not cheese but thickened, flavoured, dyed oils and chemicals.
Fake whole dark rye bread which is white bread with a smidgen of rye and brown dye added (they call it 'deli style' up here, gag.)
Once found in a health food store: faux chocolate covered marzipan made of artifical sugar, carob, fat, and artificial food colouring.
I have a real problem with new, improved, semi-artificial food.
posted by x46 at 6:27 AM on April 27, 2009
Faux tortoiseshell, pearls, shell for buttons, jewellery and combs.
Faux alligator and lizard grained leathers.
Faux boar bristle brushes.
All of these, I'll live with happily knowing that someone/something else didn't suffer to give me pleasure.
On the other hand: vinyl vs rubber dolls, rain boots, etc. Old rubber darkens and rots and/or goes hard, unlike newer vinyls.
Fake cream fillings and toppings which are a noxious blend of chemicals, oils, flavourings and colour, without a bit of cream in them.
Fake cheese slices which are not cheese but thickened, flavoured, dyed oils and chemicals.
Fake whole dark rye bread which is white bread with a smidgen of rye and brown dye added (they call it 'deli style' up here, gag.)
Once found in a health food store: faux chocolate covered marzipan made of artifical sugar, carob, fat, and artificial food colouring.
I have a real problem with new, improved, semi-artificial food.
posted by x46 at 6:27 AM on April 27, 2009
Velour!
posted by Lieber Frau at 12:21 PM on April 27, 2009
posted by Lieber Frau at 12:21 PM on April 27, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by hazyjane at 9:37 AM on April 26, 2009