Naugahyde facts for kids
Naugahyde is a well-known American brand of artificial leather. Think of it as a special kind of fake leather! It's made from a strong fabric base covered with a layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a type of plastic. A smart chemist named Byron A. Hunter created Naugahyde. Today, it's made by a company called Uniroyal Engineered Products, LLC.
The name "Naugahyde" comes from Naugatuck, Connecticut. That's where it was first made way back in 1936. Now, it's produced in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
What is Naugahyde Used For?
The main use for Naugahyde is to replace real leather in upholstery. Upholstery is the soft padding and fabric covering on furniture like sofas and chairs. Naugahyde is very strong and lasts a long time. It's also easy to clean, usually just by wiping it with a damp cloth.
Since Naugahyde is man-made, it comes in long rolls. This means big pieces of furniture can be covered without any seams. Real animal leather, on the other hand, comes in smaller, irregular shapes.
Naugahyde in Cars
For many years, the car company General Motors used Naugahyde in their vehicles. They gave it different names depending on the car brand:
- Buick called it "Cordaveen" or "Madrid-grain vinyl."
- Oldsmobile used the name "Morocceen."
- Pontiac called it "Morrokide."
- Chevrolet simply listed it as "vinyl interior" in their sales brochures.
The Funny Nauga Marketing Campaign
In the 1960s and 1970s, Naugahyde had a very clever and funny advertising campaign. They joked that Naugahyde came from the skin of a creature called a "Nauga." This idea even became a kind of urban myth!
The ads said that, unlike other animals, Naugas could shed their skin without being harmed. This meant no Naugas had to be hurt to get their "hide." A small, horned monster doll with a wide smile, called a Nauga doll, became very popular. You can even find these dolls today!
