Kirza

However, the actual name of the factory was IsKozh (an acronym for "Iskusstvennaya Kozha" - artificial leather),[5] and the legend is simply an example of folk etymology.

It remained expensive, despite the demand, until the invention of synthetic latex in the early 1930s which replaced the initial impregnating mixture.

Kirza SK is a pig leather imitation based on multi-layer coarse cotton fabric, impregnated by a film-forming synthetic rubber type substance involving a vacuum manufacturing process, which produced a fabric that is impervious to water, yet with a breathable membrane to let air through.

In 1941, as technology improved, mass production was resumed to meet demand for army boots during the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

On 10 April 1942, Aleksandr Khomutov, Ivan Plotnikov and seven other specialists were awarded the 2nd Degree Stalin Prize for their invention of the new kirza production technology.